The state of Oklahoma could know by Thursday the status of its request for federal disaster aid to help local communities that were hit hard by a winter storm earlier this month, a U.S. senator said.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., acknowledged frustration by residents and state officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but said there are some things FEMA didn't receive in time that would've made the process faster.

"So, no one person is responsible for this, other than the fact that I think they (FEMA) should be able to move faster," Inhofe told the Washington bureau of the Tulsa World.

FEMA chief David Paulison indicated the response to the state's request for public assistance could come as early as Thursday, Inhofe said.

"I said, `You know that really isn't all that good,'" the senator said. "Here it is Tuesday, and people are hurting."

Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., whose 2nd Congressional District sustained most of the ice storm damage, also expects a response from FEMA and the White House about aid to communities by the end of the week.

"I would be very disappointed if that didn't happen this week," Boren said. "It has been long enough for my constituents."

Some communities have spent a quarter or even half of their entire budgets cleaning up after the storm, he said.

The massive storm began pounding Oklahoma with freezing rain, sleet and snow Jan. 12. The storm is blamed for 32 deaths and for leaving up to 125,000 homes and businesses without electricity at its height.

By Tuesday, the number of customers still experiencing service disruptions had dwindled to 43, all located generally east of U.S. Highway 75, according to the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives' Web site.

Before that storm, freezing rain crippled the Oklahoma Panhandle, leaving many without electricity and the ability to feed their stranded cattle. Another storm is forecast to begin affecting the state on Wednesday, but large accumulations of ice and snow are not expected.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said he has maintained close contact to ensure the state's needs are being met.

"I will continue to closely monitor the situation and hold FEMA and other federal agencies accountable to taxpayers," Coburn said in a statement.

Estimates indicate damage in 23 counties will amount to at least $39 million.

"Even if we get the public assistance, we are going to have a battle on our hands for individual assistance," Boren said, adding that those requests usually are more difficult to push.

Boren isn't predicting a negative response from FEMA on individual relief but said he based his pessimism on comments from Paulison and others.

"It doesn't sound like they are going to go all the way and do what is necessary to reimburse individuals," he said. "I am going to bat on it."

FEMA spokesman David Passey said there has been some "back and forth" between FEMA and the state about the requests.

"That is not at all atypical," Passey said. "I don't want to characterize that as a mistake on someone's part."

Albert Ashwood, director of Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, said the state's request for assistance to communities was complete from the start.

Boren said, however, "if there is any blame to be placed, it is going to be on FEMA."