Lankford Leads Oklahoma Delegation in Push for Federal Disaster Assistance Following July 4 Storms

WASHINGTON, DC — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) led the Oklahoma congressional delegation in urging President Trump to approve Governor Kevin Stitt’s request for a major disaster declaration to help Oklahoma communities recover from severe storms, high winds, flooding, and widespread power outages that struck the state on July 4. The delegation requested Public Assistance for Cleveland, Nowata, Osage, and Washington Counties, as well as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance statewide. Read the full letter HERE and below. Mr. President, We write in support of the formal request from the State of Oklahoma, through the office of Governor Kevin Stitt, that was submitted on September 2, 2026, for a major disaster declaration, including Public Assistance for Cleveland, Nowata, Osage, and Washington Counties to recover from severe storms, high winds, flooding, and widespread power outages that occurred on the evening of Saturday, July 4, as well as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance statewide. An Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in these counties (E.O. 2026-23) was issued on July 5, 2026. Severe storms, high winds, and flooding impacted the State of Oklahoma on the evening of Saturday, July 4 and caused damage to public property within the State. As usual, Oklahomans demonstrated the Oklahoma Standard when they stepped up to help their families and neighbors as they began the process of cleaning up the debris and repairing damage to schools, businesses, and neighborhoods. State and local officials have informed us that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response and recovery is beyond the combined capability of the state and local governments, and that federal assistance is necessary to lessen the threat of disaster, protect property, and to ensure the safety of these communities. As such, we respectfully urge you to approve the Governor’s request for the counties listed above and to provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance statewide. We stand ready to provide any assistance needed to ensure the prompt evaluation of this request. Please reach out to our offices with any questions on this matter. Sincerely, /x/ Background Lankford has consistently worked to ensure Oklahoma communities have access to federal resources following severe weather and natural disasters. In July, Lankford announced more than $12.3 million in FEMA Public Assistance grants to help Oklahoma communities repair electrical infrastructure, roads, and public buildings damaged by severe storms, tornadoes, and winter weather. In June, Lankford highlighted more than $2.8 million in FEMA assistance for recovery from severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, and wildfires after working with FEMA leadership to finalize the grants. Earlier this year, Lankford helped secure more than $20 million in FEMA funding for flood mitigation in Tulsa County and severe-weather recovery efforts in Shawnee, Sulphur, and other Oklahoma communities. Lankford has also repeatedly worked with the Oklahoma congressional delegation to support major disaster declarations following severe weather, including leading the delegation’s request for federal assistance after the April 2024 tornado outbreak. Lankford has introduced bipartisan legislation to improve federal disaster response and recovery, including the POWER Act, which would allow FEMA funding to be used to strengthen electrical infrastructure while it is rebuilt following a disaster. ###