Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Situation Update 5
December 29, 2015 11:45 a.m.

Due to the hazardous weather conditions, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated for extended hours. 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).

Another round of snow is expected tonight across much of western and central Oklahoma. Snow accumulation up to two inches is likely for these areas. Dry and cold conditions will persist the remainder of the work week.

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.

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports five people have died as a result of severe weather that began Saturday.

Female, 38 years old, Oklahoma City
Female, 66 years old, Yukon
Male, age not identified, Kay County
Male, 36 years old, Pittsburg County
Female, 54 years old, Bixby

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 104 storm-related injuries have been treated by Oklahoma hospitals.

Falls: 58
Transportation related: 30
Carbon monoxide poisoning: 9
Cut/Pierce: 3
Other: 4

American Red Cross reports the following shelters are open:

• First Baptist Church, 729 East Street, Snyder
• Medicine Park Community Center, 19001 Highway 49, Medicine Park
• El Reno YMCA, 2200 Babcock, El Reno
• Church of Christ, 913 W. Will Rogers, Kingfisher
• Cameron Baptist Church, 2621 S.W. C Avenue, Lawton

Eleven people stayed at shelters Monday night.

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

• The Non-Profit Center, 114 S. Independence Street, Enid
• Summers Nursing Home, 119 N. 6th Street in Okeene
• Hunter Community Center, 101 Buffalo Road, Hunter

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

The following locally operated warming stations are open:

• Cashion Fire Department, 402 N. Main, Cashion
• Bible Baptist Church, 226 South 29th Street in Chickasha
• First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Washington, Hobart
• Snowhill Baptist Church, 11 S. Morgan Road in Tuttle
  111 N. Weigle in Watonga
• The Pioneer Center, 1000 Gartrell Place, Weatherford

More than 80 people visited warming stations Monday evening.

Fourteen industrial size generators have been deployed to assist local cities and counties to provide power to warming stations, shelters and water facilities. Additional generators are being deployed today.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 84,000 power outages statewide.

Municipal Electric Utilities – Total: 5,003

Pond Creek: 630
Watonga: 767
Okeene: 643
Frederick: 1,900
Geary: 675
Manitou: 93
Olustee: 295

PSO – Total: 19,322

Largest outage areas:  
Lawton, Cache – 1,506
Tuttle, Elgin, Cyril, Chickasha, Binger areas 7,576
Weatherford, Thomas, Corn, Hinton – 3,316
Altus, Snyder, Hollis, Tipton, Duke, Headrick – 4,045
Carnegie, Hobart, Lone Wolf, Sentinel, Mountain View, Dill City, Roosevelt, Gotebo, Granite – 2,103
Canute, Elk City, Erick – 449
Clinton, Foss – 449
Tulsa – 106

OG&E – Total: 23,318

Largest outage areas:
OKC - 4769
El Reno - 3045
Forest Park - 1974
Arcadia - 1955
Piedmont - 1223
Yukon - 916
Hunter - 848
Southard - 768
Hennessey - 749
Enid - 697
Okarche - 678
Lahoma - 568

Alfalfa Electric Cooperative - Total: 1,941

Largest outage areas:
Aline – 248
Jet – 229
Wakita – 167
Burlington – 164
Nash – 159
Medford – 123
Alva – 113
Ringwood – 107
Carmen – 101

Caddo Electric Cooperative - Total: 12,882

Counties:
Caddo – 7,193
Canadian – 3,455
Comanche – 216
Grady – 444
Kiowa – 512
Washita – 587

Central Rural Electric Cooperative - Total: 182

Largest outages by county:
Logan – 33
Noble – 123

Cimarron Electric Cooperative - Total: 9,693

Largest outage areas:
Kingfisher – 1,355
Watonga – 894
Okarche – 672
Geary – 411
Hennessey – 397
Canton – 363
Okeene – 334
El Reno – 318
Dover – 313
Fay – 298
Calumet – 296
Piedmont – 283
OKC – 495
Cashion – 211                           

Cotton Electric Cooperative - Total: 4,117

Largest outages by county:             
Comanche – 3,097
Cotton – 410
Tillman – 344

Lake Region Electric Cooperative - Total: 162

Largest outages by county:
Cherokee – 160

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 4,018

Largest outage areas:
Chickasha – 1,158
Yukon – 620
Tuttle – 499
Mustang – 455
Pocasset – 371
Amber – 319             

People’s Electric Cooperative - Total: 43

Largest outage area: Stratford

Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative - Total: 32

Largest outage area: Pawhuska             

Indian Electric Cooperative - Total: 30

Largest outage areas: Pawhuska, Bowring

Kay Electric Cooperative - Total: 3,217

Largest outage areas by county:
Kay – 1,201
Grant – 504
Noble – 120
Kaw City Limits - 107
Osage – 103
Garfield - 69            

Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 30

Outage areas: Bernice, Rose, Salina, Jay, Pryor

As highways continue to clear with warmer temperatures arriving today, Oklahoma Department of Transportation crews have salt and sand operations remaining in seven western Oklahoma counties. These operations generally are for remaining icy spots as highways generally are improving. Interstate conditions statewide are dry and clear at this time.

The largest area of slick and hazardous conditions remaining is reported between Fairview and Chester along US-60 and SH-58/SH-8 in Major County. Additionally, crews continue to remove snow drifts in Dewey, Washita, Blaine and Roger Mills counties this morning. Other salt/sand operations for icy patches continue in Woodward and Ellis counties.

Road closures due to downed power lines after the weekend ice storm continue to dwindle as utility companies finish repairs in central Oklahoma.

While snow and ice conditions continue to evaporate, several highways remain closed in eastern Oklahoma due to flooding. Some closures may last several days while waiting for water to recede. Use caution and slower speeds near ramps and low-lying areas where standing water has accumulated. Do not drive into standing water on a highway.

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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