Winter Weather Situation Update 1
Situation Update
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
December 22, 2022 4 p.m.
WINTER STORM IMPACTING STATE
The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated today in response to the ongoing extreme low temperatures, high wind, and winter precipitation including snow and ice. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (ODEMHS) is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services, National Weather Service, Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and others.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Governor Kevin Stitt declared a State of Emergency for all 77 counties on Wednesday, December 21. The Executive Order temporarily suspends requirements for size and weights permits of oversized vehicles transporting materials and supplies used for emergency relief and power restoration. It also relaxes state administrative rules to allow dealers of liquified petroleum to more easily refill tanks.
SHELTERS AND WARMING STATIONS
Five locally managed shelters and warming centers are currently open in Oklahoma.
Two warming shelters are open today through Dec. 25:
- Disciples Christian Church, 5800 Douglas Lane, Bartlesville, OK
- Get Real Ministries, 219 N. Virginia Avenue, Bartlesville, OK
Three warming centers are open during the day today:
- Tillman County Food Bank, 901 N. 15th Street, Fredrick, OK (open until 5 p.m. Thursday)
- First Baptist Church, 501 SW B Avenue, Lawton (open until 6 p.m. Thursday)
- Granny’s Place, OK-31, Bokoshe, OK (open Thursday)
Additional shelters and warming stations are open for people experiencing homelessness.
POWER OUTAGES
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 5,200 power outages across the state at this time. At the height of the storm, outages exceeded 12,000.
OG&E – Total: 4,455
Bethel Acres: 351
Eufala: 894
Mcloud: 245
Oklahoma City: 648
Pouteau: 757
Shawnee: 590
Shady Point: 545
Yukon: 114
PSO - Total: 214
Tulsa: 113
Cooperatives
Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative – Total: 302
Pottawatomie: 300
Seminole: 2
People's Electric Cooperative - Total: 130
McClain: 23
Pontotoc: 107
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative - Total: 96
Latimer: 7
Le Flore: 87
Pittsburg: 2
ROAD CONDITIONS
Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports crews are treating remaining slick spots in Northwestern, Northern, Northeastern, Eastern and Central Oklahoma. ODOT and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority crews continue to monitor conditions and treat roads.
Crews also are reporting slick spots along the I-35 corridor in Northern and Southern Oklahoma. Motorists are reminded that bridges and overpasses often freeze first meaning extra caution should be used on these areas. If motorists must travel tonight, they are reminded to drive for conditions, which includes slowing down and planning extra travel time.
Motorists should check current road conditions on the interactive travel map at www.okroads.org or through the free Drive Oklahoma mobile app.
REMEMBER during snowy and icy conditions, motorists are asked to:
- Stay about 200 feet behind road clearing equipment; crews need room to maneuver and can engage plowing or spreading materials without notice.
- Allow extra space between vehicles to provide adequate distance for braking.
- Be aware of "black ice," which looks wet on the roadway but is a thin layer of ice.
- Be patient, plan trips ahead and allow extra time in reaching destinations.
In a report posted at approximately 11:45 a.m., Oklahoma Highway Patrol shared that they had worked the following incidents today:
- Abandoned Vehicles - 5
- Driving Under the Influence - 1
- Fatality Collisions - 2
- Hit and Run Collisions - 2
- Injury Collisions - 54
- Motorist Assists - 66
- Non-Injury Collisions - 247
DIAL 211
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 9-1-1 for emergencies.
###
