Obama Declares State of Emergency in Oklahoma After Tornado - East Idaho News
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Obama Declares State of Emergency in Oklahoma After Tornado

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110712 PresidentObamaPhone?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1369129036060Official White House Photo by Pete Souza(WASHINGTON) — President Obama late Monday declared a state of emergency in Oklahoma after a massive tornado ripped through the city of Moore, leaving at least 24 people dead and more than 100 injured.

In a statement, the White House said the president “ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning on May 18, 2013, and continuing.”

“The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie,” the statement continued.

Earlier on Monday, Obama spoke with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin to “express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather” and make clear that his administration, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “stands ready to provide all available assistance,” according to a readout of the call.

“The President told Governor Fallin that the people of Oklahoma are in his and the First Lady’s thoughts and prayers and, while his team will continue to keep him updated, he urged her to be in touch directly if there were additional resources the Administration could provide,” the readout said.

Obama is scheduled to make a statement on the damage at 10 a.m. ET Tuesday.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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