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City declares civil emergency after late‑April flooding; announces SBA loans and volunteer relief services
Summary
Mayor and city staff described the city's emergency response to flash flooding, declared a civil emergency for access to funds, and announced SBA low-interest loans and a volunteer relief program operating from Cameron Baptist Church.
The Lawton City Council on May 13 declared a civil emergency for the city after widespread damage from heavy rain and flash flooding that began in late April.
Mayor Hankins Booker praised the coordinated response by city staff, police, fire and public works and said the effort demonstrated government functioning as intended. The city manager reported that the Federal Small Business Administration will offer low‑interest disaster loans to eligible residents and businesses; staff said they would publish guidance and links to the state damage-report portal (oklahomadamage.gov) to document household and business losses.
City staff also announced that the Oklahoma Baptist relief team will operate from Cameron Baptist Church for roughly 30 days to provide free remediation services — removing damaged drywall, carpet and other flood‑soaked materials — and that residents who need assistance should contact the relief team. Staff emphasized that reporting damage to the state portal will support requests for federal disaster declaration and additional aid.
Separately, the council adopted a formal proclamation of civil emergency (declared effective May 13, 2025) to enable the mayor and mayor pro tem to promulgate reasonable regulations and to assist the city's ability to access emergency funds and to document losses for federal assistance.
Why it matters The civil-emergency proclamation and public announcements about SBA loans and volunteer remediation teams are intended to accelerate recovery and to document damage for potential federal assistance. The volunteer remediation effort provides immediate help for homeowners and reduces public‑health risks from mold and standing water.
What happens next City staff will publish links and guidance on reporting damage to the state portal and will coordinate with the Oklahoma Baptist relief team and other partners to connect residents to free cleanup services. The city will pursue applicable federal assistance following documentation and damage assessments.
