Search Results

Oklahoma residents affected by the tornadoes, severe storms and flooding May 2-8 have one month remaining to apply for federal assistance. The deadline to apply is Sept. 28, 2022. There may be several reasons that you have not applied with FEMA. However, federal assistance may be a necessary step in your disaster recovery. Common Misconceptions Debunked: ▪ “I have my own insurance.” Even if you have insurance you should apply for assistance. Sometimes damage is found that insurance won’t cover, but federal disaster assistance may. ▪ “I’m still waiting on a visit from my insurance adjuster.” You should still apply with FEMA, as your insurance may not meet all your disaster-related needs. ▪ “I think I make too much money to apply for assistance.” Most state and federal disaster assistance programs are available to individuals of all income levels. The kind of help provided depends on the applicant's circumstances and unmet needs. ▪ “I don’t think I sustained enough damage to qualify.” Damage that may not be visible now, may be discovered during repair work. If you applied for disaster assistance, these repairs may be covered. ▪ “I don’t want to take assistance from someone else.” There are enough disaster funds to take care of every eligible applicant, so you should not worry that you are taking money from other applicants whom you feel need it more. ▪ “I’m worried that disaster assistance will interrupt or interfere with my other federal assistance.” Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, welfare assistance, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income or any other federal programs. If You Have Not Applied for Federal Assistance: ▪ Log onto DisasterAssistance.gov. The website is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Apply with FEMA Today, Application Deadline One Month Away Learn more at fema.gov August 2022 2 ▪ Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service. Lines are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. ▪ Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To locate the closest DRC to you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA app or visit the DRC Locator. You can also text 43362 and type DRC (your ZIP Code); for example, DRC 12345. Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs. For the latest information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4657. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6. # # # FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA tollfree at 833-285-7448). If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

The joint federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers in Muskogee and Seminole counties will be closed on Saturday, August 27 and reopen on Monday, August 29 with new hours of operation. The centers assist survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 2-8.Survivors from any of the seven designated counties can meet face to face with specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and have their questions about federal disaster assistance answered at the center. The seven designated counties are Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Tulsa. Survivors can get in-person help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and get questions answered about federal disaster at: Muskogee County Harris-Jobe School 2809 N. Country Club Road Muskogee, OK 74403 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday Closed Saturday and Sunday Seminole County Seminole State College, David L. Boren Library 2701 Boren Blvd. Seminole, OK 74868 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday Closed Saturday and Sunday Hours of operation to change at Disaster Recovery Centers in Muskogee and Seminole counties. Learn more at fema.gov August 2022 To locate the closest DRC to you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA app or visit the DRC Locator. You can also text 43362 and type DRC (your ZIP Code); for example, DRC 12345. Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs. For the latest information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4657. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6. # # # FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA tollfree at 833-285-7448). If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

After the disaster on May 4th, Betty hired the first contractor who knocked on her door to help with her damages. She overpaid that contractor and she is still left with damages. “Scenaries like this, regrettably, occurred all over Seminole during relief operations and continue to occur today,” according to Community Development Director Sharon Emmitt. Verifying their credentials is one approach to stay away from unlicensed companies. The Construction Industries Board website, www.cib.ok.gov/are-they-licensed, enables people to look up a contractor's license and determine whether the contractor is in good standing. Contractors must have a valid State and City license to work in the City of Seminole. Code Enforcement Officer James Moon said, “We stop work on sites every week because people are not properly licensed. Some contractors hold a state license, but are not licensed with The City. However, once they have their State and City licenses, they are qualified to work in Seminole and work resumes.” The City of Seminole lists licensed contractors on their website, www.Seminole-Oklahoma.net/are-they-licensed. A list of licensed plumbers, electricians, mechanics, roofers, tree trimmers, and exterminators can be found on the site. A resident should call the police if they notice any unusual activities. If they have any inquiries regarding a contractor's license, they can also contact the community development office at 405-382-4330 ext. 113. “If you see something, say something! It is extremely important and necessary for residents to call if they see something that is not right and it prevents issues in our town,” said Emmitt.

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation will host an event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 17 (and Aug. 18, if needed) to help any tribal members who had damages from the May 2-8 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. The event will be held at: Citizen Potawatomi Nation Workforce and Social Services Building 1549 Workforce Drive Shawnee, OK, 74801 FEMA Individual Assistance specialists as well as U.S. Small Business Administration and Oklahoma Indian Legal Services (OILS) representatives will be available to assist tribal members from any Nation with disaster assistance applications and questions. If you are unable to attend this event, Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in areas affected by the storms including, Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole, and Tulsa counties. To locate the closest DRC to you or if you have any questions about the application process, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA app or visit the DRC Locator. You can also text 43362 and type DRC (your ZIP Code); for example, DRC 12345. Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs. For the latest information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4657. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6. # # # FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448). If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

“Youth Council is one of my favorite groups to lead,” said Public Information Officer Briana Wymore, “We started it not knowing what was going to happen, and there were concerns with starting something new in the middle of a pandemic. It turned into a joyful success, not only for the youth council members, but for many employees, city council members, and citizens as well. I look forward to seeing how youth council impacts Seminole this year.” The City of Seminole started Seminole Youth Council in August of 2020 with Briana Wymore as their sponsor. This will be their third year to meet where they will gather once a month and learn about The City’s different departments from various employees. Each meeting includes a lunch and a new speaker. In past years, the tour of the fire and police stations was a highlight among many of the students. Youth Council 2022-2023’s first meeting is August 30th where they will have a meet and greet dinner at Sportsman Lake. Students that are in 11th or 12th grade are encouraged to apply with the approval of the school administration. Most youth council sessions will take place on the first Wednesday of each month at noon. The Seminole Youth Council is still working to establish a brand-new family entertainment facility in Seminole. The proposal for a family entertainment center was introduced to the city council in the first year and plans for it were developed in the following year. This year’s youth council will continue with the project. “Unfortunately, the tornado on May 4th prevented us from having the chance to present before city council last year. On the day of the presentation the students were volunteering their time and efforts towards disaster relief. We hope to present a powerful presentation at the end of the school year this time,” Wymore said. Seminole State College has allowed students who succefully complete Seminole Youth Council to add a one-hour leadership credit to their college transcript. “We are extremely appreciative of Seminole State College's collaboration with us in providing students with this opportunity. This is one more reward for the students' efforts and commitment to Seminole Youth Council.” Wymore said. Youth Council 2022 schedule is as below: August 27th – Deadline for Applications September 14th – Meet & Greet dinner at 6pm followed by City Council Meeting October 6th - Lion’s Club/Rotary at 12pm November 3rd – SEDC/Urban Renewal at 12pm November 18th – Hall of Fame December 1st – Airport/Lake at 12pm January 5th – Save The Day Challenges at 12pm February 2nd – Chamber/Tourism at 12pm March 2nd – Mock Trial at 12pm @ City Hall Court Room April 6th – Prepare Presentation to City Council at 12pm April 18th-22nd - Seminole Community Clean Up May 3rd – Practice Presentation to City Council at 12pm May 10th – City Council Recognition and Presentation at 7 Dates and subjects may change as needed. To apply, applicants must: · Be a junior or senior in high school · Maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher · Be willing to attend and participate in meetings with no more than 2 absences · Have own transportation · Participate in one community project Applications are available on The City’s website on www.Seminole-Oklahoma.net/youth-council. August 26thth is the deadline to apply. Contact Briana@Seminole-Oklahoma.net for any questions or concerns.

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) extended the emergency burn permit to October 4th. There will not be another extension for emergency burning. The original burn permit was due to end on August 4th at the County Barn behind Seminole Animal Shelter (1200 Montgomery Road). Limbs and wood are the only thing that can be burned there. "We want to express our sincere gratitude to County Commissioner Tim Porter and his team for partnering with us for disaster relief. He called us the night after the storm to offer assistance and has been essential to Seminole’s improvement,” said Public Works Director Bryant Baker. The County Barn is open 7am-3:30pm, Monday through Friday. Since the first storm hit on May 2, residents and volunteers have collected and disposed of more than 50,000 cubic yards of tree debris. That is equivalent to 16,500 pickup loads of debris in a 3 month period. The City of Seminole organized Community Volunteer Days over the summer to help remove limbs from personal properties. There were over 100 volunteers and over 200 hauls combined for the two organized days. “Code enforcement is working on finding the middle ground between limbs/trees that are still on the ground and the tall weeds and grass that are housing rodents and pests,” said Community Development Director Sharon Emmitt. “We are thankful for all the volunteers who have contributed to Seminole’s disaster relief. Because of them, we have made progress in the recovery. As time continues, volunteer numbers dwindle. It is crucial for Seminole’s restoration that capable citizens help themselves and their neighbors,” said City Manager Steve Saxon.

OKLAHOMA CITY—Beginning Monday, Aug. 8, FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Seminole county will be housed in a new building on the Seminole State College campus. The DRC will now be in the David L. Boren Library in room 105. The hours of operation will remain the same. Survivors from any of the seven designated counties can meet face to face with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) specialists to get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and have their questions about federal disaster assistance answered at the center. The seven designated counties are Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Tulsa. Survivors will still be able to get in-person assistance with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and get questions answered about federal disaster at: Seminole County Seminole State College David L. Boren Library Room 105 2701 Boren Boulevard Seminole. OK 74868 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday Closed Sunday To locate the closest DRC to you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA app or visit the DRC Locator. You can also text 43362 and type DRC (your ZIP Code); for example, DRC 12345. Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs. For the latest information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4657. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6. # # # FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448). If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West announced today that SBA will close its Seminole Business Recovery Center at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4. “SBA opened the center to provide personalized assistance to businesses that were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 2-8, 2022,” said Garfield. Until the center closes, SBA customer service representatives will continue to meet with business owners to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help each individual complete their electronic loan application and close their approved loans. No appointment is necessary. SEMINOLE COUNTY Business Recovery Center Seminole State College Enoch Kelly Haney Center - First Floor, Room # 115 2701 Boren Blvd. Seminole, OK 74868 (located ¼ mile west of the intersections of Highways 3 and 9) Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closes 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4 “SBA representatives will also continue to be available at the following federal-state Disaster Recovery Centers to meet with businesses and residents,” Garfield continued. The centers are open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary. ADAIR COUNTY Disaster Recovery Center Adair County EMS Office 4 East Walnut St. Stilwell, OK 74960 Mondays – Fridays, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. MUSKOGEE COUNTY Disaster Recovery Center Harris-Jobe Elementary School 2809 North Country Club Road Muskogee, OK 74403 Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. OKMULGEE COUNTY Disaster Recovery Center Trinity Baptist Church 830 West Ozark St. Morris, OK 74445 Mondays – Fridays, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY Disaster Recovery Center Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center Conference Center Second Floor, Room #4 1700 West Independence St. Shawnee, OK 74804 Mondays – Fridays, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. SEMINOLE COUNTY Disaster Recovery Center Seminole State College Enoch Kelly Haney Center First Floor (located ¼ mile west of the intersection of Highways 3 and 9) 2701 Boren Blvd. Seminole, OK 74868 Mondays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. TULSA COUNTY Disaster Recovery Center Bixby Community Center 211 North Cabaniss Ave. Bixby, OK 74008 Mondays – Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Interest rates can be as low as 2.935 percent for businesses, 1.875 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. The deadline to apply for property damage is Aug. 29, 2022. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 29, 2023. ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Saturday, July 30th, is a community limb removal day. The big hope is that this is the last rally of limb removal because all of the limbs are picked up. There are 189 points on the limb removal map and it has been divided into 13 sections. Some of those sections need skidsteers or other equipment to be moved and other sections can be picked up with hands and trailers. Everyone has a job in this day! Please come out and help the community! Volunteers will meet at Seminole First Baptist Church at 8am to divide into teams, and come back at 12pm for a volunteer's lunch. In June's disaster cleanup, there were over 100 volunteers and over 150 hauls to the county barn. If the community comes together, this can be the last limb removal day!

A joint federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Seminole County to help survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 2-8. Survivors from any of the seven designated counties can meet face to face with FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration specialists to get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and have their questions about federal disaster assistance answered at the center. The seven designated counties are Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Tulsa. The Disaster Recovery Center is open at the following location: Seminole County Haney Center – Seminole State College 2701 Boren Blvd. Seminole, OK 74868 Hours: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Closed Sunday. The recovery centers will follow COVID-19 precautions. Masks are required for employees, volunteers and survivors. Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs (under Disaster Resources, select Talk to FEMA in Person). Active Disaster Recovery Center locations and hours are available FEMA.gov/DRC. For the latest information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4657. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6.

All of Seminole Police Department which includes all Officers, the High Risk Warrant Team, and both School Resource Officers, recently participated in an active shooter training hosted by Prevail Shooting and Tactics at Immanuel Fellowship Church. “We are so thankful and humbled to have support from City Council and the community to do these types of trainings. This training made us even better. We saw improvement among the team’s skills and abilities,” said Police Chief Jon Withers. “Seminole Police Department is one of the most proactive departments when it comes to training. It is one of the reasons I love working with them,” said Seminole Reserve Officer Josh Beauford and owner of Prevail Shooting and Tactics. Beauford is the team lead for the High-Risk Warrant Team at Seminole Police Department. He has had 17 years experience in law enforcement being on different tactical teams and working undercover. The active shooter training consisted of 10 various scenarios with hired actors and actresses that tried to make it as real as possible by bringing rubber weapons and acting out the scenes. The scenarios included someone coming in with a knife, an unstable person trying to kidnap a child, and someone coming in with a gun. After each scenario the group would come together to debrief and discuss what was done well and what could be done different. “The most important part of training in these scenarios are to be able to take control of the situation before anything critical happens. The trainings teach officers to stop the suspect before he or she can harm someone. We find ways to remove the weapon or hold down the suspects safely, so no one is hurt,” said Officer Beauford. “These trainings are not only beneficial to our department. They are beneficial to the community by making the city safer. When the officers advance their skills, it is a win for the whole community,” said Chief Withers.

The Seminole City Council began a new contract with Central Disposal effective July 1, 2022.GFL is still working on picking up leftover polycarts and roll-offs. If you have a GFL polycart or roll-off please contact 405-716-9404. Regularly scheduled collection days should not change, as they will follow the same collection routes as our previous solid waste company. However, the time of day they pick up may change. To ensure a timely collection, ensure your containers are placed curbside no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. If your cart is not out before 7:00 a.m. this may cause your collection to be missed,” said Public Works Director Bryant Baker. If haulers have not picked up your garbage by 8:00 p.m., please leave your containers at the curbside on the following day and be sure to report your missed collection to Central Disposal at (405) 275-0900. “When changing companies there is always a transition period,” said City Manager Steve Saxon. “We knew there would be a few bumps in the road. However, we are excited to get things rolling.” Residents and commercial businesses may notice their containers are a different shape, but the number of gallons are the same as the container that was there previously, and what is being billed. Residents may order additional polycarts for an additional charge of $15.75 a month. Please call Central Disposal at (405) 275-0900 to order an additional container. Bulk Trash will continue to be the second full week of each month on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. There is a bulk trash map on the City’s website at www.seminole-oklahoma.net. Residents may haul 3 cubic yards (example: level pickup bed load) to the Prague landfill each month for free with an ID and current water bill. Center Point landfill is located at 101422 S 3570 Road, Prague, OK. The phone number is (405) 567-3806. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Commercial businesses may change the size of your container, smaller or larger to do so please contact Central Disposal at (405) 275-0900. Residents and commercial businesses should your garbage be missed please contact Central Disposal at (405) 275-0900. “Haulers are making note if your container was not at the curb to add to a ‘not-out’ list.”, said Baker. “It will be checked to see if your container was placed on the list and we will come back and pick it up for an additional charge.” To order a roll-off container contact Seminole City Hall at (405) 382-4330 extension 101. You will be required to pay for your roll-off before it will be delivered. Once you have paid for your roll-off there is a 48-hour turnaround to be delivered. To file a complaint, contact Central Disposal at (405) 275-0900, your complaint will be taken seriously and handled promptly. “Each container is chip enabled, meaning each container is assigned a serial number and each serial number is assigned to a specific address.”, said Baker. “This will help us when a resident says their cart is missing. You will need to look around your neighborhood to find your serial number.” “Seminole City Council will be looking at implementing ordinances to assess a fine should a container be used at a different address.”, said Saxon. You may contact Central Disposal at (405) 275-0900 to find out your serial number. “We are excited about this partnership with Central Disposal and look forward to the trash service they will provide.”, said Baker.