OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin declared a State of Emergency for 12 Oklahoma counties due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight line winds and flooding that began Friday.

The counties included in the declaration are: Alfalfa, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Ellis, Harper, Jackson, Kiowa, Logan, Oklahoma, Woods and Woodward.

The declaration can be amended to add additional counties if conditions warrant.

Since Friday, these Oklahoma counties have experienced tornadoes, straight line winds, damaging hail and flooding.  Damage assessments continue in the hardest hit areas, including the city of Woodward where a large tornado has resulted in extensive damage to  homes and businesses as well as numerous fatalities.

Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to those families who have lost loved ones or seen their homes destroyed,” Fallin said. “The state of Oklahoma is currently doing everything it can to provide relief to the communities in the path of last night’s storms and tornadoes. We will continue to work to provide every bit of assistance that we can in the coming days.”

Attorney General Scott Pruitt issued an Oklahoma Disaster Scam Prevention Packet and a warning Friday to beware of the home repair schemes and charity fraud that typically follow weather damage.

“We know from past experience that this type of damage attracts criminals looking for ways to take advantage of Oklahomans,” Pruitt said. “We’re getting the message out now so people can be aware of such quick-fix schemes and spread the word to neighbors and family members before they become victims.”

The attorney general said home repair and charity fraud are the most likely scams Oklahomans will encounter after storms.

“Within the next few days, home and business owners will want to repair storm damage quickly, but we caution them to be patient and make sure they are using a reputable home repair contractor,” Pruitt said. “Investigators with our Public Protection Unit have prosecuted unscrupulous repair workers, commonly called travelers who follow storms across the state to profit from the misfortune of others.”