Number of Tornado-Related Insurance Claims Continues to Soar OKLAHOMA

By Firestorm Team in Crisis Communication on Wednesday, 05 June 2013

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Number of Tornado-Related Insurance Claims Continues to Soar Oklahoma

The total number of tornado-related insurance claims filed by Oklahomans has climbed to 32,433 since May 19. The filings represent insured losses of nearly $250 million, including 13,938 homeowners claims, 17,492 auto claims and 724 commercial property claims.

“Our responsibility is clear and our commitment to the citizens of Oklahoma is strong during this devastating time,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “We are continuing to come up with ways to address consumer concerns and provide united support. The victims can rest assured that we will be here to help until the last claim is filed.”

WX Morre OK 1 The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is continuing to assist tornado victims across the state by planning a series of outreach events in the impacted areas. During the meetings, insurance experts will be able to explain the claims process and answer questions from consumers. The schedule will be announced at a later date.

Additionally, OID consumer information is currently available at several locations in the impacted areas. The updated list of locations includes:

Moore Moore City Hall 301 N Broadway St. Moore, OK
Shawnee Gordon Cooper Technology Center One John C Bruton Boulevard Shawnee, OK
Little Axe Little Axe Elementary School (Gymnasium) 2000 168th Ave NE Little Axe, OK
Carney Carney High School (Rooms 5-7) 304 S. Carney Road Carney, OK
El Reno Jenks Simmons Field House 211 N. Country Club El Reno, OK

Impacted consumers with questions are also encouraged to call the Consumer Assistance Division at 1-800-522-0071.

Commissioner Doak issued an emergency declaration allowing emergency claims adjusters to obtain temporary licenses to expedite the insurance claims process and provide immediate assistance to impacted consumers. Licensed agents and adjusters are also required to obtain an identification badge from the OID office in Oklahoma City before entering the tornado-damaged areas. The requirement is aimed at protecting consumers from unlicensed or unscrupulous characters attempting to take advantage of them.

Please visit http://www.ok.gov/oid/disasterrecovery.html for more information and frequently asked questions to assist with disaster recovery from Oklahoma’s tornadoes.

Mail Services for Tornado Affected Areas

As the clean-up continues in the Moore Oklahoma area from the devastating May 20th F-5 tornado, the U. S. Postal Service is continuing with its efforts to serve customers in the 73160, 73153, and 73170 impacted areas.

For customers impacted by the tornado who receive mail in the 73160 and 73153 zip code area,

The Postal Service is placing modular units with temporary Post Office Boxes for these customers who are unable to receive mail.
Location for the temporary site is 1600 S. Broadway, Moore Oklahoma.
Hours of operation are Monday–Friday 8:00 a. m.–6:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a. m.–5:00 p.m. No access on Sunday will be available.
Customers will be issued keys to gain access to their mail.
Customers are required to provide their delivery address and a valid photo ID in order to receive a key.
Post Office Box keys will be issued on-site for ONE WEEK ONLY (June 3 – 8) at the 1600 S. Broadway location Mon – Fri from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 8 from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
If keys are not picked up June 3-8, customers will need to pick up the temporary box keys at the Airport Finance Unit located at 6500 Air Cargo Rd, Monday–Saturday from 10:00 a.m.–4:00p.m.

For those customers impacted by the tornado who receive mail in the 73170 zip code area, you will also receive your mail at a temporary modular unit at the Santa Fe Station located at 201 SW 134th Street.

All impacted customers will be issued a key to gain access to their temporary Post Office Box.
Hours of operation are Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. No access on Sunday will be available.
Post Office Box keys will be issued at this site Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. starting June 3.
Customers are required to provide their delivery address and a valid photo ID in order to receive a key.

Effective June 3, retail services will also be available at the Santa Fe Station temporary modular unit to assist our customers with their mailing needs. Hours of operations are Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Customers in the impacted areas are encouraged to continue to call the Oklahoma District USPS Customer Hotline at 1-866-295-7514 to receive the latest delivery service updates for their area.

As a reminder, any customer that would like to receive delivery service through an alternate Post Office may rent a Post Office Box by personally visiting the office or by visiting our worldwide website at www.usps.com. Our website provides a range of delivery and retail services including renting a Post Office Box, directing mail to a temporary or permanent address, purchasing stamps, and sending packages.

Debris Removal Update:

The City of Moore is informing homeowners and business owners about their responsibilities pertaining to debris removal. The city has contracted Silver Star Construction for debris removal.

“Home owners are responsible for moving debris to the curb. Debris that is too far from the curb is at risk for not being picked up. We are strongly encouraging home owners to demolish the slab and move it in one continuous area 18 feet from the curb,” said Stan Drake, Assistant City Manager.

When moving the debris it’s important to separate refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning systems. Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed. The cooling systems in appliances contain chemicals that prevent them from being disposed in landfills.

There is no current deadline to get the debris to curb, but homeowners are encouraged to work as quickly as possible. Debris will be picked up seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vouchers are available for homeowners at Moore City Hall who want to make personal trips to the landfill.

Permits will not be issued for rebuilding on foundations unless a structural engineer has verified the existing slab is deemed suitable for construction. The structural engineer must be licensed by the State of Oklahoma in order to provide the approval for rebuilding. Slabs need to be demolished and taken to the curb unless they have been approved for rebuilding as stated previously.

Business owners will need to contact their insurance companies pertaining to the removal of debris from commercial sites. The City of Moore cannot remove debris from commercial properties.

“If residential property owners are uninsured or underinsured and cannot afford to have debris moved to the curb, they may execute a “Right of Entry” form available from the City of Moore.” Drake said.

This form gives the City permission to enter citizens’ private property for debris removal. It will also hold the City harmless from any liability. These forms will be available at Moore City Hall, in the near future.

*These policies are subject to change. This release will be updated as needed.

UPDATED 5-30-2013 5:30PM

Resources

City of Moore sent this bulletin at 06/03/2013 05:13 PM CDT

The City of Moore has links and information available to residents pertaining to different aspects of Tornado relief.

Visit http://www.cityofmoore.com/tornado-relief

We are working with multiple local, state, and federal agencies to provide the most up to date information available.