Mayor Mason, commissioners declare disaster emergency after EF4 tornado; authorize expedited recovery actions

Mayor Mason and the Enid Board of Commissioners unanimously declared a disaster emergency on May 5 after an April 23 EF4 tornado that heavily damaged homes in Grama Ridge and surrounding areas.

The commission approved a resolution authorizing cost tracking, seeking FEMA and state reimbursement, permitting emergency contracts for debris removal through June 30, 2026, and adopting expedited solicitation procedures. The initial resolution and the subsequent emergency declaration vote each passed 7–0.

“We had an EF4 tornado on April 23 that caused extensive damage,” Mayor Mason said in prepared remarks, thanking first responders and volunteers and noting that, “by the grace of God, there were no fatalities.” The mayor and staff said roughly 40 homes were destroyed in Grama Ridge and that the community and mutual-aid partners had worked to limit casualties.

City staff reported that crews and volunteers have removed several thousand tons of debris: Gerald said about 3,800 tons have been hauled to the landfill, and Mayor Mason noted in his remarks he had tracked roughly 4,000 tons as of last Friday. The city is coordinating disposal options for separated wood and brush, including possible chipping or controlled burning in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the fire department.

Gerald, providing a slide-backed operational update, said the city had used municipal crews and partner resources from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Turnpike Authority and county teams to stage debris removal. He said voluntary groups (the Enid Recovery Team and other nonprofits) and personnel from Vance Air Force Base supplemented municipal operations.

The resolution authorizes the city manager to execute emergency debris-removal contracts with ratification at the next regular meeting and directs staff to continue tracking costs for potential state or federal reimbursement. Commissioners noted the uncertainty of FEMA eligibility but said tracking costs and taking prompt contracting steps were necessary to speed recovery.

The vote followed extended praise from elected officials for volunteers and partner agencies, and staff said resources and homeowner assistance information are posted on the city’s website under a prominent red banner for recovery resources. The commission moved into related procurement and administrative actions as allowed under the emergency declaration.