February 1, 2022 Winter Weather Event Situation Update 3

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Situation Update 3

February 4, 2022 3:00 p.m.

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

A State of Emergency remains in effect for all 77 counties through February 7. 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.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol has reported one weather-related fatality in Carter County on February 3.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 126 injuries have been reported by area hospitals since Wednesday.

• 3 burn
• 8 cut or pierce
• 62 slip or fall
• 10 poisoning
• 12 struck by or against
• 24 transportation related 
• 7 other

Stranded Motorist Assistance Response Teams (SMART) will wrap up operations today. The teams, consisting of Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma National Guard personnel are 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 and local governments.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reports they have responded to 126 abandoned vehicles, 448 non-injury collisions, 67 injury collisions, and 510 motorist assists since Wednesday.

Motorists should closely follow the forecast and 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.

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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