Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Situation Update 6
December 29, 2015  4:45 p.m.

Due to the hazardous weather conditions, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated for extended hours for key personnel. 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 nine shelters are open:

• Camp Christian, 275 Camp Christian Lane, Chouteau
• El Reno YMCA, 2200 Babcock, El Reno
• National Guard Armory, 1900 E. Flagstone, Highway 5, Frederick
• Cedar Lake Chapel, 21619 E. 6th Street, Hinton
• Hollis Civic Center, 208 W. Jones, Hollis
• Church of Christ, 913 W. Will Rogers, Kingfisher
• Cameron Baptist Church, 2621 S.W. C Avenue, Lawton
• Medicine Park Community Center, 19001 Highway 49, Medicine Park
• First Baptist Church, 729 East Street, Snyder

Eleven people stayed at shelters Monday night.

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

• Bible Baptist Church, 226 South 29th Street in Chickasha
• Hunter Community Center, 101 Buffalo Road, Hunter
• Summers Nursing Home, 119 N. 6th Street in Okeene
• Snowhill Baptist Church, 11 S. Morgan Road in Tuttle

The following warming stations are operated by The Salvation Army:

• 516 N. Independence Avenue, Enid
• 318 E. Hayes, Norman
• 1001 N. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City
• 601 S. 3rd Street, Ponca City

The following locally operated warming stations are open:

• Cashion Fire Department, 402 N. Main, Cashion
• Warren Community Center, 21123 State Highway 19
• 111 N. Weigle in Watonga
• The Pioneer Center, 1000 Gartrell Place, Weatherford

At least 80 people have visited the warming stations Tuesday.

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 and tomorrow.

Stranded Motorist Assistance Recovery Teams (SMART) positioned in western Oklahoma assisted approximately 170 motorists since Saturday and provided wrecker support to several motorists who accidentally slid into ditches. More than 130 Oklahoma National Guard personnel, many from the 45th Infantry Brigade, participated in the mission, working closely with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. The teams worked from Guthrie to the Kansas border along I-35, and throughout western Oklahoma along I-40.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry reports flooding in eastern Oklahoma may lead to stranded livestock. State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall is encouraging all livestock owners to move animals to higher ground to avoid the possibility of stranded livestock. It is anticipated that water will continue to rise in many areas of the eastern region of the state over the next few days.

Altus Emergency Management continues to ask customers of Altus Water to  conserve water due to a power outage at Tom Steed Reservoir.

Caddo County Emergency Management reports that the roof has caved in at the Caddo County Department of Human Services building due to ice and snow accumulation.

McCurtain County Emergency Management reports at least one water rescue occurred today in the Broken Bow area.

Evacuations have occurred in Wagoner and Mayes counties due to flooding.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 67,000 power outages statewide.

Municipal Electric Utilities – Total: 4,373

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

PSO – Total: 13,085

Largest outage areas:  
Lawton, Cache – 876
Tuttle, Elgin, Cyril, Chickasha, Binger areas 4,229
Weatherford, Thomas, Corn, Hinton – 3,220
Altus, Snyder, Hollis, Tipton, Duke, Headrick – 3,254
Carnegie, Hobart, Lone Wolf, Mountain View, Dill City, Roosevelt, Gotebo,– 1,347

OG&E – Total: 17,390

Largest outage areas:
El Reno - 3,339
OKC - 3,111
Yukon - 1784
Piedmont - 1340
Enid - 892
Garber - 742
Okarche - 678
Hennessey - 622
Meno - 584
Lahoma - 568
Watonga – 405

Alfalfa Electric Cooperative - Total: 1,089

Largest outage areas:
Burlington – 168
Carmen – 125
Medford – 123
Nash – 117
Wakita – 117
Alva – 98

Caddo Electric Cooperative - Total: 11,293

Counties:
Caddo – 5,924
Canadian – 3,351
Comanche – 187
Grady – 408
Kiowa – 513
Washita – 486

Central Rural Electric Cooperative - Total: 144

Largest outages by county:
Logan – 34
Noble – 84

Cimarron Electric Cooperative - Total: 9,903

Largest outage areas:
Kingfisher – 1,316
Watonga – 894
Okarche – 672
Geary – 411
Hennessey – 416
Canton – 316
Okeene – 337
El Reno – 318
Dover – 255
Fay – 298
Calumet – 296
Piedmont – 289
OKC – 406
Cashion – 271                            

Cotton Electric Cooperative - Total: 3,886

Largest outages by county:             
Comanche – 3,077
Cotton – 219
Tillman – 205

Lake Region Electric Cooperative - Total: 135

Largest outages by county:
Cherokee – 133

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 2,287

Largest outage areas:
Chickasha – 404
Yukon – 443
Pocasset – 371
Tuttle – 357
Mustang – 195             

People’s Electric Cooperative - Total: 43

Largest outage area: Stonewall

Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative – Total 10

Outage area: Tecumseh, St. Louis

Indian Electric Cooperative - Total: 177

Outage areas: Ponca City, Pawhuska, Tulsa

Kay Electric Cooperative - Total: 3,047

Largest outage areas by county:
Kay – 1,127
Grant – 485
Noble – 111
Kaw City Limits - 107
Osage – 103
Garfield - 54            

Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 16

Outage areas: Rose, Salina, Jay, Pryor, Adair, Colcord, Kansas

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports almost all highways are dry and clear in western and central Oklahoma with the exception of secondary roadways in Major County. There are also a few wet spots on US-60 between Harmon in Ellis County and the Texas state line. ODOT crews will continue to monitor conditions in central and western Oklahoma and will be ready to clear any new snow and ice that may head into the state overnight.

A downed power line along SH-37 in Caddo County also has hampered snow and ice removal in this area. New icy precipitation overnight could cause more power line damage and motorists are urged to remain alert and check weather conditions before traveling.

Meanwhile, significant road closures continue across eastern Oklahoma due to flooding. These conditions have been changing rapidly and some closures may continue through the week while water recedes. Drivers are urged to avoid standing water on roadways and to check for closures before traveling.

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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