Key Takeaways
Preparedness Workshops
Floods Leave Oklahoma Reeling
In May 2024, relentless rains battered Oklahoma, unleashing floods that left 33,000 homes and businesses without electricity in McAlester and washed out roads across Cleveland, Creek, and other counties.
The devastation claimed lives, like 86-year-old Eileen Sanders, swept away in Lincoln County, and triggered a federal disaster declaration. Rural Oklahomans, already stretched thin, now face slow recovery, crumbling infrastructure, and fears of being unprepared for the next storm.
Her conservative, faith-driven approach tackles voter concerns head-on, ensuring rural communities aren’t left behind.
A Bold Plan: The Rural Resilience Fund
The candidate’s Rural Resilience Fund is a lifeline for flood-hit towns. Using federal disaster aid and state surplus from agricultural exports, the fund will repair damaged roads, like those in Cleveland County where firefighters used boats for rescues. Leisa’s plan prioritizes quick fixes, hiring local contractors to pave roads and reinforce bridges within six months.
“Rural roads aren’t just paths; they’re lifelines for families and first responders,” she says. The fund also equips rural fire stations with generators, ensuring power during outages like McAlester’s, where 33,000 suffered in darkness. By redirecting existing emergency budgets, Leisa avoids new taxes, proving fiscal smarts honed as a city manager.
The fund’s transparency sets it apart. Every project, from road repairs in Creek County to generator installs in Pittsburg, will be tracked on a public website, updated monthly. This lets Oklahomans see their dollars at work, unlike current leaders whose delays frustrate voters.
Leisa’s faith guides her: “We steward resources with honesty, as God calls us to.” Her plan targets rural areas, where infrastructure lags and recovery drags, ensuring towns like Skiatook, hit by SH-20 closures, get help fast. By focusing on local needs, the fund builds trust and resilience, addressing fears of neglect.
Preparing Communities: Workshops for Strength
Leisa knows rebuilding isn’t enough; Oklahoma must be ready for future storms. Her Community Preparedness Workshops, led by local churches, will train residents in rural counties to handle floods and outages.
These free, monthly sessions teach skills like emergency kit assembly, flood-proofing homes, and safe generator use. Pastors in places like Lawton, where shelters housed flood victims, will host workshops, tapping into community trust. “Faith binds us, and preparation protects us,” she says. Volunteers, not government staff, will lead, keeping costs low and community spirit high.
Workshops also address voter worries about emergency preparedness. The May floods exposed gaps, like dry fire hydrants and slow rescues in Cotton County. Her sessions will connect residents with resources, like 2-1-1 for non-emergency aid, and teach them to report damage at damage.ok.gov, speeding up recovery funds.
By empowering locals, we ensure rural Oklahomans aren’t caught off guard again. Her transparency shines through public workshop schedules and feedback forms, letting communities shape the program. This family-first approach builds confidence, unlike state efforts that left 134 homes damaged without clear aid.
A Future Built on Resilience
What does this mean for Oklahoma? Picture drivable roads in Cleveland County, letting ambulances reach homes swiftly. Envision fire stations in Pittsburg County lit up during storms, guiding evacuees to safety. See families in Creek County trained to face floods, standing strong with emergency kits.
Leisa’s plan could repair 500 miles of rural roads and equip 200 fire stations in two years, saving lives and millions in future damages. The workshops might train 10,000 residents, turning fear into readiness.
These are real results for real people, not empty promises.
“We protect our neighbors like kin,” she says, inspired by Oklahoma’s grit after disasters like the 1984 Tulsa floods. Unlike leaders who let recovery stall, Leisa’s open-door governance invites input, ensuring rural voices are heard.
In 2026, she asks Oklahomans to trust her to deliver safety and strength.
