Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 1
March 27, 2009 – 7:30 a.m.

Due to the severe winter weather, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is at Level Two activation, which involves extended operating hours for key personnel. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas.

The National Weather Service has posted a Blizzard Warning for all of the Oklahoma panhandle and much of the northwest. Snow accumulations of 10-15 inches are likely with sustained winds of 40 mph, gusting to 50 mph. A Winter Storm Warning continues for southwest, west-central, central, and north-central Oklahoma. Snow accumulations of 8-12 inches are likely with sustained winds of 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph. Southern areas of the warning may receive 4-6 inches of snow. A Winter Storm Watch continues for northeast Oklahoma, where snow accumulations of 4-6 inches are expected.

Roadways in Cimarron and Texas counties are slick and hazardous. Roadways in Beaver, Harper, Ellis and Woodward are slick in spots and deteriorating steadily.

I-40 is closed from the Texas-New Mexico border to Tucumcari, N.M. due to a hazardous materials incident. Two trucks are blocking I-40.

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS call the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety's ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE 888-425-2385. For out-of-state road conditions:Texas 800-452-9292 and New Mexico (800) 432-4269

OEM is working with FEMA to secure delivery of industrial size generators that would be used for shelters and to provide power to water treatment facilities in the event of electric service disruptions. This will add to state generators pre-staged in the panhandle.

Guymon/Texas County Emergency Management reports about 3 inches of snow on the ground with more coming down. Additionally, four fire departments are providing mutual aid on a fire in Hooker.

Harper County Emergency Management reports the Town of Buffalo (pop. 1,200) is without power.

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