Over 230 Oklahoma County properties damaged in November storms could get tax break

The November storm system that brought tornadoes and severe weather to the state caused at least $57.9 million in damage to Oklahoma County properties.

Assessor Larry Stein said teams from the county are still documenting damage, but reports so far show that 231 properties sustained damage.

“Our teams have been all across the area impacted by the rare early November 2-3 storm system which hit overnight. I’ve toured the areas and seen the incredible destruction and it is incredible and an amazing blessing everyone survived the storms with only minor injuries,” Stein said Thursday.

According to Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, 49 weather-related injuries were reported statewide after the unseasonable weather in early November.

More:Tornado warnings in November? Data shows how late Oklahoma tornado season can be

If you have storm damage and aren't sure if the county has documented it, you can call the assessor's office at (405) 713-1201 to confirm.

“We are doing our best to document and complete this task as soon as possible,” Stein said.

Residents and business owners who have storm damage will have their property taxes adjusted. After damage is documented, the assessor will notify the Board of Tax Roll Corrections.

"When the property value is reduced or eliminated, the property taxes on the real property may also be reduced or eliminated," said Stein.

So far, he said, these adjustments will mean affected taxpayers will save over $700,000 on their tax bills.

The law that allows this adjustment was adopted over a decade ago after wildfires ravaged the state.

"(Without this law), homeowners would have suffered the loss of their home and (would) have been required to pay the entire year’s property taxes on a home that was no longer there. This change was able to provide relief from natural disasters,” Stein said.