OESC offers unemployment disaster assistance to communities by storms [Video]

TULSA, Okla. — The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is offering disaster unemployment assistance to Oklahomans devastated by recent bouts of severe weather.

The storms in April and May left many towns in ruins. Some residents were left with not only damage to their homes but also without jobs after their places of business were destroyed or closed temporarily.

“There is an unemployment and re-employment element to disaster relief, and it can be flooding, it can be straight-line winds, it can be tornadoes,” Trae Rahill, CEO of OESC, said.

In fact, 18 counties currently qualify for disaster unemployment assistance, and that number could increase.

“The paycheck is at risk or their ability to serve communities is at risk,” Rahill said. “It is very disruptive.”

• GALLERY: BARTLESVILLE STORM DAMAGE 5/6/2024

In trying times, the OESC is reaching out to hard-hit communities, offering resources to those who have lost their livelihoods.“Disaster unemployment assistance is something that FEMA funds, …