Jun 3, 2019 - Science

Beto O'Rourke visits flood-damaged Oklahoma communities

Rebecca Falconer

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke on the ground in Sand Springs to meet with those who are not only recovering from an historic flood but who are preparing their community for the next. — Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke with locals in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Photo: Beto O’Rourke/Facebook

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke on Sunday toured Tulsa communities on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma that have been devastated by severe weather and historic flooding.

Details: O'Rourke vowed if he were elected in 2020, he'd direct federal grants to invest in communities before natural disasters strike as climate change is due to worsen the situation, the Oklahoman reports.

The big picture: President Trump declared a major disaster in Oklahoma Saturday, making federal funding available to Tulsa, Muskogee and Wagoner counties. Waters are now receding in the area. But as Oklahoma clears up, the high waters are traveling southeast along the Arkansas River.

The latest: Downriver Arkansas communities were preparing Sunday for record-breaking crests, per AP. Flooding caused police to close multiple roads in North Little Rock Sunday night, according to KATV.

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Beto O'Rourke visits flood-damaged Oklahoma communities

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