Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 7

December 9, 2013, 4:15 p.m.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management remains in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas and with disaster response, recovery agencies, to include the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Services: Forestry Services Division, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross and other disaster relief agencies.

Another round of winter weather is expected today across central and northern Oklahoma with 1-3 inches of snow likely in northern Oklahoma and a dusting to one inch possible in central sections of the state. Temperatures will slowly warm during the week, reaching the 40s by late in the week.

A State of Emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties remains in place. On Thursday, December 5, 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 American Red Cross is supporting three shelters:

• Choctaw Nation Community Center at 400 W O Street in Antlers.
• Choctaw Nation Community Center at 408 N M Street in Hugo.
• Friendship Baptist Fellowship at 13127 Highway 120 in Cameron (formerly listed in Rock Island, OK)

Warming centers are open in the following locations:

• First Baptist Church of Antlers, 208 NE B Street, Antlers
• Choctaw Nation Bethel Community Center, Choctaw Road 144, Bethel
• Bryan County Health Department, 1524 W Chuckwa, Durant
• Choctaw Nation Smithville Community Center, 39618 N US Highway 259
• Valiant Assembly of God, 612 N Dalton, Valliant

Baptist Disaster Relief is operating a feeding kitchen for residents in Hugo. Additionally, Baptist Disaster Relief chainsaw teams continue to respond in Hugo, Antlers and Pocola to assist in clearing county roads blocked by downed trees as well as assisting families with trees blocking access to homes and driveways.

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

The Office of the State Medical Examiner reports the following 8 fatalities now attributed to the winter storm:

Unidentified male adult died following a propane stove fire in Westville, OK

18-year-old male died in a motor vehicle accident in Tulsa, OK

5-year-old male died in a motor vehicle accident in Muskogee, OK

6-year-old male died after falling through ice in a creek in Tulsa, OK

56-year-old male died after a fire in the home in Tulsa, OK

85-year-old male died in a motor vehicle accident in Oklahoma City, OK

43-year-old male died in Oklahoma City, OK (cause and manner pending)

77-year-old female died of hypothermia in Altus, OK

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 262 storm related injuries have been reported by area hospitals including 181 falls. 

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has responded to 201 non-injury and 65 injury weather-related collisions since 8 a.m. Thursday.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports more than 3,600 homes and businesses are without power across the state -- most in southeast Oklahoma.

PSO: 47 (Hugo area); 3 (Clayton, Wister area)

Arkansas Valley Electric Total: Approximately 74 (Pocola, Roland)

Choctaw Electric Cooperative:Approximately 3,500 (Choctaw, Pushmataha, LeFlore & McCurtain counties)

Crews from Electric Cooperatives from across Oklahoma are assisting in the restoration effort at Choctaw Electric Cooperative.

At the height of the storm on Friday, there were more than 9,300 homes and businesses without power.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is urging drivers to stay cautious because slick spots remain throughout the state, particularly on highway bridges, overpasses and highway exit/entrance ramps. Continued low temperatures can cause wet or slushy areas of roadways to refreeze causing a thin layer of ice, also known as black ice. Drivers should plan trips ahead and allow extra time to reach destinations.

Highway crews are continuing to work to address areas and apply salt and sand.

ODOT is alert and ready to respond to anticipated additional precipitation and continued winter weather conditions.

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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Next Situation Update: As conditions warrant