OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin has declared a state of emergency for 15 Oklahoma counties where tornadoes, severe storms and flooding have damaged property and caused two deaths.

The executive order issued by Fallin on Tuesday will permit state agencies to make emergency purchases and acquisitions to expedite the delivery of resources to local communities.

The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal disaster assistance should it be necessary. The order can be amended to add additional counties if needed.

Tornadoes on Monday killed two people, one each in Garvin and Johnston counties, injured many more and damaged homes and other buildings across the state.

The counties included in the governor’s emergency declaration are: Atoka, Bryan, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Garvin, Johnson, Kay, McCurtain, Murray, Noble, Payne, Stephens and Tillman.