Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin asked the White House, on Sunday, to approve a major disaster declaration for seven counties, including Logan County, impacted by last weeks tornadoes.
The other six counties include Caddo, Canadian, Delaware, Grady, Kingfisher, and McClain counties. Although there were no deaths in the Guthrie area, the storms claimed the lives of 10 in the tornado outbreak.
If granted, Oklahomans who suffered uninsured storm-related damage in the seven counties would be eligible for assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.
Earlier this week, Fallin issued a state of an emergency for 68 of the 77 Oklahoma counties that still remains in effect.
The Oklahoman contributed to this story.
The Guthrie Christian Church, located at 1802 W Logan, is providing food and water for those living on the west side of the city that were affected by Tuesday’s twister.
President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mary Coffin, said Professional Recyclers has donated an enormous amount of clothing (for all ages) that will help those affected. Clothes can be picked up today thru Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the church.
The church will continue to serve lunch from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition, groceries are available as well, including baby formula and diapers.
Coffin said there has been plenty of donations and they are needed of volunteer’s to help hand out the clothing. Coffin said volunteer’s are also needed with trucks and trailers to help with the debris, that have been moved to the street curbs, and taken to the city dump. Contact Guthrie Christian Church at (405) 282-5433 for more.
After serving Logan Medical Center in Guthrie for the past five years, CEO Dennis Hunger, is returning to his hometown of Washington, Iowa, where he grew up on the family farm.
Hunger resigns his post after five years with LMC.
“It is a difficult decision to make. My wife and I have four children under the age of six and I have two grandmothers in Iowa both in their 90s. It’s time to return home,” Hunger said in a release by the hospital. “Actually, it couldn’t be better timing for Logan Medical Center because we are now well positioned with Mercy for the future of healthcare in Logan County.”
In early May, after a long and thorough selection process, Mercy was chosen as the leading candidate to assume ownership of the hospital. Together, Logan Medical Center and Mercy are currently in a process of due diligence.
Beginning August 1, 2011, Hunger will take the CEO helm at Washington County Hospital and Clinics – a 25-bed critical access hospital and 43-bed nursing home – in Washington, Iowa.
“We have a large, extended family back in Iowa,” said Hunger. “While we will miss our Guthrie community, it will be a great homecoming for my family in Iowa.”
