Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Situation Update 4
December 28, 2015 4:45 p.m.

Due to the hazardous weather conditions, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated. OEM is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with numerous agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma National Guard, National Weather Service, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for northeast Oklahoma through 6 p.m. tonight. Light snow and sleet will continue across the advisory area where up to one-inch additional accumulation is possible.

More snow is forecast for parts of Oklahoma Tuesday evening, with the greatest potential in northern Oklahoma.

The State of Emergency declared by Gov. Mary Fallin on November 29 has been extended for an additional 30 days for all 77 counties. Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 56 storm-related injuries have been treated by Oklahoma hospitals.

Falls: 23
Transportation related: 20
Carbon monoxide poisoning: 9
Other: 4

American Red Cross reports a shelter for stranded motorists in Woodward has closed. Seven people stayed in the shelter overnight.

American Red Cross has opened a new shelter at Medicine Park Community Center at 19001 Highway 49 in Medicine Park.

The following warming stations are operated or supported by American Red Cross:

• The Non-Profit Center at 114 S. Independence Street in Enid
• Church of Christ at 913 W. Will Rogers in Kingfisher
• Summers Nursing Home, 119 N. 6th Street in Okeene

The following warming stations are operated by The Salvation Army:

• 516 N. Independence Avenue in Enid
• 318 E. Hayes in Norman
• 1001 N. Pennsylvania in Oklahoma City

Grady County Emergency Management reports warming stations are open at Bible Baptist Church, 226 South 29th Street in Chickasha and at Snowhill Baptist Church, 11 S. Morgan Road in Tuttle.

Blaine County Emergency Management reports a warming station is open at 111 N. Weigle in Watonga.

Teams are positioned in the affected areas to assist stranded motorists. The teams are comprised of members of the Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Altus Emergency Management is asking customers of Altus Water to continue to conserve water due to a power outage at Tom Steed Reservoir.

McCurtain County Emergency Management reports the dam at Broken Bow Lake has been opened resulting in flooding at the water pump station. They have requested sandbags and water buffaloes

Pittsburg County Emergency Management reports numerous roads are still under water. Seven swift water rescues have been completed since yesterday.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports more than 147,000 power outages statewide.

Municipal Electric Utilities – Total: 6,472

Pond Creek: 630
Watonga: 767
Okeene: 643
Waynoka: 1562
Frederick: 1,900
Geary: 675
Olustee: 295

PSO – Total: 44,048

Largest outage areas:  
Lawton, Cache – 14,258
Tuttle, Elgin, Cyril, Chickasha, Binger areas 9,537
Weatherford, Thomas, Corn – 9,068
Altus, Snyder, Hollis, Tipton, Duke, Headrick – 4,420
Carnegie, Hobart, Lone Wolf, Sentinel, Mountain View, Dill City, Roosevelt, Gotebo, Granite - 3,695
Canute, Cheynne, Leedey, Hammon, Cheyenne, Butler, Elk City, Erick – 2,165
Clinton, Custer, Foss – 427

OG&E – Total: 42,993

Largest outage areas:
OKC - 11966
Yukon - 9749
El Reno - 4286
Forest Park - 2335
Piedmont - 2047
Arcadia - 1145
Enid - 1012
Canton - 941
Waukomis - 927
Hunter - 848
Hennessey - 760
Okarche - 678
Lahoma - 585

Alfalfa Electric Cooperative - Total: 2,728

Largest outage areas:
Aline – 483
Jet – 238
Wakita – 167
Nash – 164
Carmen – 156
Medford – 123
Ringwood – 118
Cherokee – 115
Helena – 114
Alva – 112
Cleo Springs – 109
Burlington – 105

Caddo Electric Cooperative - Total: 17,736

Counties:
Caddo – 9, 582
Canadian – 5,245
Comanche – 684
Grady – 446
Kiowa – 536
Washita - 627

Central Rural Electric Cooperative - Total: 1, 372

Largest outages by county:
Logan – 235
Noble – 288
Payne - 624

Cimarron Electric Cooperative - Total: 10,488

Largest outage areas:
Kingfisher – 1,172
Watonga – 896
Okarche – 667
Hennessey – 648
Geary – 411
Okeene – 387
Canton – 366
Orienta – 364
Dover – 341
Fairmont – 319
Fay – 298
Calumet – 296
Piedmont – 282
OKC - 491
Cashion – 201             

Cotton Electric Cooperative - Total: 7,514

Largest outages by county:             
Comanche – 5,642
Cotton – 911
Stephens – 66
Tillman – 446

Lake Region Electric Cooperative - Total: 831

Largest outages by county:
Cherokee – 690

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 6,971

Largest outage areas:
Tuttle – 2,357
Mustang – 1,395
Chickasha – 1,158
Yukon – 623
Pocasset – 371
Amber – 319
Cement – 165
OKC – 145

People’s Electric Cooperative - Total: 43

Largest outage area: Stratford

Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative - Total: 32

Largest outage area: Pawhuska

Indian Electric Cooperative - Total:  1,689

Largest outage areas:
Ralston – 362
Fairfax – 196
Red Rock – 182

Kay Electric Cooperative - Total: 4,327

Largest outage areas by county:
Kay – 1,761
Grant – 493
Noble – 336
Kaw City Limits - 107
Osage – 103
Garfield - 59            

Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 88

Areas: Afton, Welch, Langley, Salina, Colcord, Twin Oaks, West Siloam Springs, Big Cabin, Foyil

Northwestern Electric Cooperative - Total: 128

Largest outage areas by county:
Major – 73    
Dewey – 45
Woodward – 10

Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports that although weather conditions continue to improve across most of the state, potential for black ice developing and roadways refreezing remains high heading into evening. Several highways remain closed in eastern Oklahoma due to flooding and caution is advised in northeast Oklahoma where temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.

I-40 is open from the Oklahoma state line to Amarillo, however, drivers going farther west from this area are urged to seek an alternate route or delay travel if possible. Roads in Woodward and Ellis counties in northwest Oklahoma are snow-packed, and travel on US-60 between Harmon and the Texas state line is down to one open lane at times. I-35 is mostly clear and dry from Wynnewood to the Texas state line. However, I-35 remains mostly wet as it gets closer to the Oklahoma City metro area. Crews will continue to work slick spots and monitor it.

In central Oklahoma, highways remain wet with some slick and hazardous spots as temperatures remain at or below freezing. Ice causing downed power lines remains a hazard to motorists across much of central and northwestern Oklahoma.

In eastern Oklahoma, numerous highways remain closed due to flooding. Motorists should use extreme caution as many areas are reporting heavy fog and mist. ODOT recommends drivers check their new interactive highway conditions map at www.okroads.org or call 1-844-4OKHWYS (844-465-4997) to “Know B4 U Go.”

For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact your local 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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The next situation update will be issued 12/29/2015