What a Disaster: The Oklahoma Disaster Legal Help Podcast
Tornadoes, floods, and wildfires create legal problems most Oklahomans don't see coming — denied FEMA claims, insurance disputes, lost titles, and contractor fraud. What a Disaster breaks down what you need to know before, during, and after a disaster so you can protect your home, your family, and your rights.
Hosted by the disaster legal team at Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, each episode features LASO attorneys walking you through real issues in plain language: how to store and protect your important documents, how to verify the title to your home, what your insurance policy actually covers (and what it doesn't), how to file a claim, and where to turn when something goes wrong.
This help is free for eligible low-income Oklahomans. You don't need to wait for a disaster to reach out.
Visit oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org) for tip sheets, community presentation requests, and to apply for free legal help. Or call 1-888-534-5243.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering free civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. Making equal justice for all a reality.
Inside OklahomaDisasterLegalHelp.org and the Free Resources Available
Getting ready for storm season, or trying to recover after one? Arla Smith and disaster staff attorney Jessica Fouch walk through OklahomaDisasterLegalHelp.org, a free website with everything Oklahomans need to prepare for and recover from a disaster.
In this video, you'll see how to find information about a specific federally declared disaster, browse legal topics like FEMA appeals, insurance claims, renter rights, and contractor fraud, and download free checklists and flyers you can print and share. We also cover the 10-step preparedness guide, the Kids' Corner activity books, the Faith Leader Hub, built-in translation and accessibility tools, and how to request a free presentation for your group.
Everything on the site is free to use and share. If you're already facing a legal problem after a disaster, free help is available.
Start at oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org or call 1-888-534-5243.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. Eligible Oklahomans may apply for help by calling 1-888-534-5243 or visiting www.legalaidok.org (http://www.legalaidok.org).
24 Sept 2026
How To Get Free Disaster Legal Help in Oklahoma
Wondering what to have ready before you ask for free legal help after a disaster? LASO disaster attorneys Isaac Morris and Jessica Foutch explain which documents matter, how to send them, and what happens after you apply.
In this episode of What a Disaster — The Oklahoma Disaster Legal Help Podcast, host Arla Smith walks through the Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma intake process step by step. You'll learn why leases, insurance policies, letters, texts, photos, and proof of payment all help your case. You'll also hear about LASO's mobile intake unit, which can travel to rural communities, and why you should expect 7 to 10 business days for your case to be reviewed.
This episode is for any Oklahoman dealing with a legal problem after a tornado, flood, or wildfire, including insurance disputes, contractor fraud, FEMA denials, and renter issues. Help is free for eligible Oklahomans.
📞 Disaster Legal Help Hotline: 1-888-602-8494
🌐 Apply online: oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org or legalaidok.org/apply
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma, with 18 offices statewide. Eligible Oklahomans may apply for help by calling 1-888-534-5243 or visiting www.legalaidok.org (http://www.legalaidok.org).
16 Sept 2026
Why Oklahoma Disaster Survivors Need Pro Bono Lawyers
Oklahoma attorneys: the practice area you already know can make a real difference for disaster survivors. In this episode of What a Disaster, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma staff attorneys Jessica Foutch and Isaac Morris explain how pro bono lawyers can help low-income Oklahomans get free disaster legal help after tornadoes, floods, and wildfires.
Host Arla Smith talks with Jessica and Isaac about the disaster legal issues LASO sees most: FEMA appeals, quiet title and probate, insurance claims denied after a storm, landlord-tenant problems, and contractor fraud. They explain why these cases can stretch on for years, how disaster declarations work, how poverty and repeat disasters compound each other, and how LASO screens and supports every case it hands to a volunteer. You'll also hear about a 2025 wildfire case that went from lawsuit to deed in hand in about a month.
Whether you're an experienced practitioner or a newer attorney looking to build skills and pro bono hours, there's a place for you in disaster recovery legal aid. Learn more and connect with LASO's disaster team at oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org).
Disaster survivors who need free legal help can call 1-888-534-5243 or visit legalaidok.org/apply (http://legalaidok.org/apply).
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. LASO serves all 77 counties from 18 offices statewide. Eligible Oklahomans may apply for help by calling 1-888-534-5243 or visiting www.legalaidok.org (http://www.legalaidok.org).
9 Sept 2026
How Oklahoma Groups Work Together After a Disaster
When a tornado or flood hits Oklahoma, the legal problems that follow often catch people off guard. In this episode of What a Disaster, host Arla Smith sits down with Christa Figgins, Director of Mission Advancement at Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, and Cresha Conklin, disaster outreach paralegal, to explain how free disaster legal help actually works.
Christa describes how Oklahoma VOAD — Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster — connects Legal Aid with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, and dozens of other groups so survivors don't fall through the cracks. She also shares how LASO's disaster team started after the 2013 Moore tornado and grew from there.
Cresha walks through what happens when you call for an intake. Plan for about 10 to 15 minutes, and have your lease, your most current insurance declaration page, and roughly 10 photos of the worst damage ready.
You'll also hear simple steps you can take before a storm ever arrives, like getting a home titled in your name and recording a slow walkthrough video of everything you own.
Free legal help is available to eligible Oklahomans after a disaster. Start at oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org), or call 1-888-534-5243.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. Eligible Oklahomans may apply for help by calling 1-888-534-5243 or visiting www.legalaidok.org (http://www.legalaidok.org).
31 Aug 2026
How to Avoid Contractor Fraud After an Oklahoma Disaster
Hiring a contractor after storm or fire damage can open the door to scams. In this episode of What a Disaster, our disaster attorneys explain how to protect yourself before you sign anything.
Host Arla Smith talks with disaster attorneys Jessica Foutch and Isaac Morris about the contractor issues they see most after Oklahoma disasters — shoddy repairs, out-of-state "storm chasers," high-pressure sales tactics, and requests to sign over your insurance check. They walk through what Oklahoma law actually requires for contractor licensing, how to check a contractor's background before hiring, and what every contract should include. This episode is for any Oklahoman rebuilding after a tornado, storm, or wildfire — and it's free to watch and free to call if you need help.
Legal help after a disaster is free. If a contractor issue comes up, learn more at oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org).
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. This video does not constitute legal advice. Eligible Oklahomans may apply for help by calling 1-888-534-5243 or visiting www.legalaidok.org (http://www.legalaidok.org).
20 Aug 2026
Do You Need a Will in Oklahoma? Attorneys Explain
Planning ahead isn't just for disasters — it's for life. In this episode, LASO Disaster Team attorneys Jessica Foutch and Isaac Morris join host Arla Smith to break down wills, advance directives, and power of attorney in plain language.
They cover what a will actually does, the difference between a will and a living will, why probate matters, common mistakes people make writing their own will, and how advance directives protect your wishes if you're ever unable to speak for yourself. This episode is for any Oklahoman thinking about estate planning — especially seniors and anyone who wants their family protected from guesswork later.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you qualify for services, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma can help you prepare these documents at no cost. Learn more or find topic-specific resources at oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org).
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. Eligible Oklahomans may apply for help by calling 1-888-534-5243 or visiting www.legalaidok.org (http://www.legalaidok.org).
15 Aug 2026
A Renters Guide to Repairs, Deposits, and Recovering After Disaster
When disaster hits a rental home, most Oklahoma renters are left with more questions than answers. Do I still owe rent? What if my landlord won't make repairs? Can I get my deposit back? What happens if I get an eviction notice?
In this episode of What a Disaster, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma disaster attorneys Jessica Foutch and Isaac Morris sit down with host Arla Smith to walk renters through their rights before, during, and after a disaster. You'll hear why written notice to your landlord is the single most important step for protecting yourself, how to document your home before something goes wrong, what to do when your unit is damaged but your rent is still due, and how to request a deposit back if you have to move.
Jessica and Isaac also break down what to expect if you end up in eviction court — from the paperwork to the courtroom itself — and why showing up (and dressing the part) can make the difference in whether an eviction ends up on your rental record for years to come.
Free legal help is available for eligible Oklahomans. Learn more, find disaster recovery resources, or apply for help at oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org), call the disaster hotline at 1-888-602-8494, or apply for general legal aid at legalaidok.org/apply (http://legalaidok.org/apply) or 1-888-534-5243.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering free civil legal assistance to low-income Oklahomans through 18 offices statewide. Making equal justice for all a reality.
7 Aug 2026
Planning Ahead of the Storm
Oklahoma sees every kind of disaster there is — tornadoes, wildfires, ice storms, floods, and personal disasters like apartment fires. In this episode of What a Disaster, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma disaster attorneys Jessica Fouch and Isaac Morris sit down with host Arla Smith to walk through what to do in the first hours after a disaster and — just as importantly — the steps every Oklahoma family should take before one ever hits.
You'll learn how to build a family plan the whole household actually knows, why a printed list of phone numbers (landlord, mortgage, insurance, pharmacy) matters more than you'd think when cell towers go down, and where to keep your important documents so they survive fire and water. Jessica and Isaac also explain why estate planning — wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, and transfer-on-death deeds — is one of the most overlooked forms of disaster preparedness, especially for Oklahomans of any age or income level.
Free legal help is available for eligible Oklahomans. Learn more or find a full library of disaster recovery checklists and tip sheets at oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org), call the disaster hotline at 1-888-602-8494, or apply for legal aid at legalaidok.org/apply (http://legalaidok.org/apply) or 1-888-534-5243.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering free civil legal assistance to low-income Oklahomans through 18 offices statewide.
29 Jul 2026
What To Do After Disaster Strikes in Oklahoma
After the storm passes, recovery begins — and knowing your next steps can make all the difference. In this episode of What a Disaster, Arla Smith, Jessica Fouch, and Isaac Morris walk through what short-term disaster recovery actually looks like: filing insurance claims, contacting your mortgage company, applying for FEMA assistance, and finding trusted resources like disaster recovery centers, 211, and the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency.
Whether you're a homeowner or a renter, this episode covers how to protect yourself financially, avoid FEMA recoupment, and connect with long-term recovery groups that can help when insurance runs out. Learn why keeping receipts, photos, and videos matters — and where to find free legal help if you need it.
Free disaster legal help is available. Visit oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org) or call the disaster hotline at 888-602-8494.
Additional resources mentioned in this episode:
211 (dial 2-1-1 for local disaster resources)
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA)
Heartland Disaster Legal Help: heartlanddisasterlegalhelp.org (http://heartlanddisasterlegalhelp.org)
Legal Aid Disaster Recovery Center: ladrc.org (http://ladrc.org)
Ready.gov (http://Ready.gov) (disaster preparedness tips)
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. Eligible Oklahomans may apply for help by calling 1-888-534-5243 or visiting www.legalaidok.org (http://www.legalaidok.org).
22 Jul 2026
What Oklahoma Homeowners Need to Know Before Disaster Strikes
Oklahoma homeowners face real legal risks when disaster strikes — and most don't find out until it's too late. In this video, attorneys Jessica Fouch and Isaac Morris from Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma walk you through what every homeowner needs to know before, during, and after a disaster.
Topics covered include how to store and protect important documents, how to verify the legal title to your home, what actual cash value vs. replacement cost really means for your insurance payout, what to do first when you file a claim, and where to turn if your insurance company disputes your damage.
This help is free for eligible low-income Oklahomans. If you're dealing with an insurance dispute, a FEMA denial, or a contractor issue after a storm, don't wait — reach out now.
📞 Call the LASO Disaster Hotline or visit oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org (http://oklahomadisasterlegalhelp.org) to apply, access tip sheets, and request a free presentation for your community.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. (LASO) is a nonprofit organization offering civil legal assistance to low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. Eligible Oklahomans may apply for help by calling 1-888-534-5243 or visiting www.legalaidok.org (http://www.legalaidok.org).
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