February 1, 2022 Winter Weather Event Situation Update 1

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Situation Update 1

February 2, 2022 4:30 p.m.

Due to hazardous winter weather conditions, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated Wednesday. 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.

Governor Kevin Stitt declared a State of Emergency for all 77 counties on Tuesday, February 2. 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.

Five shelters are open for overnight stays:

• C3 Church Shawnee, 329 N. Pesotum, Shawnee
• Disciples Christian Church, 5800 Douglas Ln, Bartlesville
• Get Real Ministries, 409 W. 13^th St, Bartlesville
• SW Church of Christ, 505 W. 17^th St, Ada
• All Saints Episcopal Church, 325 E. Washington Ave, McAlester

Additional shelters and warming stations are open for people experiencing homelessness.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports 785 power outages statewide.

OG&E - 785

El Reno – 269

Edmond – 102

Mustang – 100

Union City –83

The state has activated the Stranded Motorist Assistance Response Teams (SMART) to assist stranded motorists if needed. These teams of Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma National Guard personnel will be placed strategically throughout the interstate system Wednesday through Friday. This program is a joint effort between OHP, the Oklahoma National Guard, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

State agencies have also prepositioned industrial-sized generators regionally across Oklahoma. The generators can be used for shelters, water systems, or other critical infrastructure. Please note these generators are NOT for residential use.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reports they have responded to 45 non-injury collisions, 9 injury collisions, and 39 motorist assists since Sunday.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority crews are continuing plowing and treating operations across the northern portion of the state, while more crews have started full plowing operations in Central and Southcentral Oklahoma.

Crews are advising motorists to use extra caution if traveling into this evening as conditions are rapidly changing. Moderate snow is impacting the northern section of I-35 and the Cimarron Turnpike. Slick and hazardous conditions remain in the Panhandle and Northwestern Oklahoma where moderate to heavy snow continues to impact travel.

Conditions in the Oklahoma City metro area remain relatively clear but this is expected to change quickly into the evening as precipitation enters the area. I-40, the Kickapoo Turnpike and I-44/Turner Turnpike in Central Oklahoma are wet and starting to see light snow accumulation. Motorists are advised to use caution on interstates and to watch for crews treating these areas.

ODOT and OTA crews in other areas of the state are monitoring conditions and are ready to respond as inclement weather moves in. Motorists also are encouraged delay travel, if possible. For those who must go out, they are encouraged to slow down and plan extra time to reach their destination.

Motorists should closely follow the forecast and check current road conditions on the interactive travel map at www.okroads.org or through the 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.

NOTE: Additional advisories will be sent from this office as conditions change.

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS in Oklahoma, call ODOT's ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 844-465-4997 or go to www.okroads.org. For turnpike information, call the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority at 877-403-7623 or go to www.pikepass.com.

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.

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