Oklahoma governor anxious for federal disaster aid

WASHINGTON, May 26 (UPI) -- Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said Sunday she hopes federal disaster aid to tornado victims in her state "will be very prompt."

In an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation," Fallin said the city of Moore -- where the brunt of the tornado struck -- was on the rebound with the help of scores of volunteers, but financial assistance from Washington was urgently needed to help pay for cleanup and repairs from the tornado, which killed at least 24 people.

"We know at different times in the past, money hasn't come always as quickly as it should," Fallin said. "So I'm hoping that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) will be very prompt in getting the relief here."

Fallin said she would press the need for a streamlined process for federal aid when she met with President Barack Obama during his tour of Moore Sunday.

She said volunteers on the ground are a valuable resource in the immediate aftermath of the storm but there was also a need for heavy equipment, skilled workers and other expertise that would require government assistance and money.

"I'm certain there will be some delays just because there's so much to do," Fallin said on CNN's "State of the Union." "Even finding the personnel, the people to do this stuff, will take a while. And how do you help people in the very long run?"