In Oklahoma, 130 wildfires in 44 counties have destroyed 400 homes. (Credit: Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock.com)
Dry conditions, high winds and low humidity have ignited wildfires across Texas and Oklahoma over the weekend.
In Oklahoma, 130 wildfires in 44 counties have destroyed 400 homes, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
Texas had at least 10 wildfires still going as of Tuesday, according to Texas A&M. The Windmill Fire in Roberts County was at 23,297 acres, and the Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County was at 9,858 acres.
"Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by these destructive wildfires,” said Karen Collins, a vice president with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), in a statement. “The overwhelming priority of insurers when disaster strikes is to help their customers rebuild their lives and restore their property. Insurers are ready to help policyholders get their immediate needs taken care of and start the recovery process as soon as possible.”
The area isn’t out of the woods yet. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center is forecasting high winds — with gusts of up to 80 miles per hour— across central Texas, central and northeastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas and western Missouri through Wednesday.
The center has declared an extremely critical risk, the highest category, in northwest Texas, the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma as well as parts of New Mexico.
While Thursday could bring lower winds, the area will likely have high winds again on Friday.
“If your home or business is damaged or destroyed by these wildfires, you should immediately file an insurance claim to get the recovery and rebuilding process started,” Collins said in the statement. “Insurers plan for wildfire year-round and are fully prepared to assist homeowners, renters and business owners impacted by these severe wind-driven wildfires.”
APCIA recommends that area homeowners and renters not impacted by the current wildfire take the time to check their coverage, take a home inventory and follow the association’s tips to make their home ember resistant.
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