OKLAHOMA LEADS NATION IN DISASTER DECLARATIONS

Associated Press - July 28, 2007 11:15 AM ET

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A combination of ice storms, flooding rains and tornadoes have left Oklahoma atop a dubious list. So far this year, the state has most federal disaster declarations in the country.

Oklahoma has received a total of 5 disaster declarations this year for severe storms, flooding, tornadoes and ice. Oklahoma emergency management director Albert Ashwood calls it a unique diversity of disasters.

But Oklahoma's high ranking in disasters isn't new. Among the 10 states with the most federal disaster declarations since 1953, Oklahoma has the highest rate per capita.

Only Texas, California, Florida, New York and Louisiana have had more disaster declarations than Oklahoma's 51 in that period. All 5 of those states have higher populations.

Perhaps the state's most unique disaster declaration came in September 2005, when an influx of evacuees from Hurricane Katrina sought shelter in Oklahoma. That resulted in a hurricane disaster declaration for the landlocked state.