July 18, 2007

Ottawa, Washington, Commanche, Nowata and Pottawatomie Counties are eligible for individual disaster assistance

Miami and Bartlesville are the two major communities that have been declared.

Contamination from the large oil spill in Coffeyville, KS, has moved south to affect South Coffeyville, OK.

Vulnerable communities watch

The declared counties represent some of Oklahoma's poorest, with poverty levels as high as 17.8 percent (per 2000 U.S. Census)

Significant pollution from heavy metals mining remains in the flooded northeastern Oklahoma communities. Many who were displaced by mining pollution moved to low-cost rental housing in Miami, which was flooded

As evidenced by the infamous Tar Creek disaster, northeastern Oklahoma's Native American communities may be significantly affected

CWS response

CWS anticipates issuing an appeal to cover training and projects throughout the theater of this disaster

CWS will forward future information as received from the local recovery effort or national response agencies

Emergency Response Specialist Lura Cayton will represent the ecumenical community at selected regional and state Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster meetings, and long-term recovery meetings

Media Contact: Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org