Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 4

December 6, 2013, 4:50 p.m.

Due to the latest winter storm impacting Oklahoma, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated. Agencies and organizations represented at the State EOC during activation have included the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Salvation Army, American Red Cross and other disaster relief agencies.

A State of Emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties remains in place. On Thursday, Governor Mary Fallin issued the declaration due to the winter storm. The Executive Order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness. It is also a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

The Hugo shelter and warming center has moved to the Choctaw Community Center at 408 N. M Street in Hugo. This shelter is operated by the Choctaw Nation and supported by American Red Cross. Baptist Disaster Relief is assisting with feeding in Hugo.

American Red Cross is also supporting a community shelter in LeFlore County at Friendship Baptist Church at 13127 Highway 120 in Rock Island.

Bryan County Health Department is operating a warming center at 1524 W. Chuckwa in Durant.

The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Baptist Disaster Relief remain on standby to assist with shelters, warming stations and feeding stations in other impacted areas.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports one weather related fatality was confirmed in Muskogee on Thursday.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 127 storm related injuries have been reported by area hospitals including 56 falls.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has responded 106 weather-related collisions since 8 a.m. Thursday. They continue to urge motorists to avoid travel in the affected areas.

Oklahoma Forestry Division and Oklahoma National Guard are sending teams to Pushmataha and Choctaw counties with equipment to move fallen trees out of roadways. Baptist Disaster Relief is also deploying seven chainsaw teams to help with timber debris. This will help allow power restoration teams access to the area to assist with restoring power to homes and businesses.

The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at level 3 -- extended hours for key personnel -- and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is working with local emergency managers across the state as well as numerous emergency response, recovery partners. OEM staff remain in the hardest hit areas of the state, assisting communities with local response, recovery efforts.

The OEM, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma National Guard and Oklahoma Department of Transportation stranded motorist plan is still in effect with a reduced number of teams positioned across in areas with greatest risk for dangerous road conditions through the evening and overnight hours.

Additionally, OEM worked with FEMA to preposition industrial size generators in the state to be used for shelters or water treatment plants impacted by power outages. The FEMA generators will augment the industrial size generators OEM already has positioned around the state. Please note these generators are NOT for residential use.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports more than 9,300 homes and businesses are without power across the state -- most in southeast Oklahoma.

OG&E Total: 603

Cameron: 157

Hodgen: 93

Panama: 64

Pocola: 65

Poteau: 224

PSO: 3,175 Hugo area (includes Hugo, Antlers, Fort Towson, Sawyer)

Choctaw Electric Cooperative:approximately 5,007 (Hugo area) 

Kiamichi: 29 (Most in Leflore County)

Southeastern Electric Cooperative: approximately 300 (Durant area)

Arkansas Valley Electric Total: Approximately 280 (Roland, Pocola)

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) reports around-the-clock road clearance operations continue on highways throughout the state. With temperatures expected to remain below freezing tonight, ODOT crews anticipate black ice and conditions will develop and urge drivers to avoid travel if possible.

Areas in northeastern, southeastern and central Oklahoma remain snow packed and slick. Drivers should use caution on the evening commute and give road-clearing equipment plenty of room to work. Portions of the Panhandle and far western Oklahoma report improving travel conditions.

While travel is discouraged, motorists who plan to travel to the Bedlam football game on Saturday need to be extremely alert to icy and hazardous conditions and plan for extra drive time.

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS, call the Department of Public Safety's ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 405-425-2385 or visit http://www.dps.state.ok.us/cgi-bin/weathermap.cgi.

The Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General reports that Oklahoma’s Emergency Price Stabilization Act remains in effect for 77 Oklahoma counties due to the Governor’s State of Emergency. Attorney General Scott Pruitt said Oklahoma’s price gouging statute prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent in the price of most goods and services when a state of emergency has been declared.

For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact 2-1-1. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone. Please only call 911 for emergencies.

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Situation Updates are posted at www.oem.ok.gov

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Next Situation Update: As conditions warrant