WINTER STORM IMPACTING STATE
With Winter Storm Warnings and Extreme Storm Warnings in effect across the state, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated Monday at noon. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) 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 Turnpike Authority, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Forestry Services, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Grand River Dam Authority, Tribal Nations, National Weather Service, Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and others.
INJURIES
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 30 injuries have been reported by area hospitals Tuesday:
- 22 falls
- 8 transportation related
SHELTERS AND WARMING STATIONS
The following 14 shelters are open for overnight stays:
- Bartlesville B the Light - 219 N Virginia Ave, Bartlesville
- C3 - Cross Connection Church - 329 N Pesotum, Shawnee
- Elk City First Baptist Church - 1600 W Country Club Blvd, Elk City
- Enid Hope Outreach - 815 W. Main, Enid
- Enid Salvation Army - 516 N. Independence, Enid
- First Baptist Church of Boise City - 103 Cimarron Ave, Boise City
- Grove Community Center - 104 W. 3rd, Grove
- Hands of Hope Food and Resource Center - 724 W. Main Street, Durant
- Higher Ground Church - 217 W Farrall St, Shawnee
- Jay Community Center - 429 S 9th, Jay
- Lawton Salvation Army Corps - 1306 SW E Avenue, Lawton
- Pryor Rescue Mission - 640 W Graham, Pryor
- Stillwater Mission of Hope - 1804 S Perkins Rd, Stillwater
- Tulsa Metropolitan Area Command - 924 Hudson Ave, Tulsa
- Vinita Grand Mental Health - 405 E Excelsior, Vinita
The following 17 warming centers are open for daytime use:
- Checotah City Hall - N. Broadway, Checotah
- Concho Cheyenne & Arapaho ERC - 200 Wolf Robe Circle, Concho
- Geary Cheyenne & Arapaho ERC - 132 E. Main, Geary
- Hammon Cheyenne & Arapaho ERC - 20415 Hwy 33, Hammon
- Hugo-Compassion of Christ Ministries - 301 W. Main, Hugo
- Kingfisher Cheyenne & Arapaho ERC - 400 W. Erwin, Kingfisher
- Mayes County Fairgrounds - 2200 NE 1st St, Pryor
- Miami Main Attractions - 116 N Main, Miami
- Okmulgee First Free Will Baptist TruLife Center - 601 S. Oklahoma, Okmulgee
- Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse - 125 N. Commercial Ave, Temple
- Tiger Mountain Fire Department - Checotah, OK
- Vinita Day Center - 131 S Wilson St, Vinita
- Watonga Cheyenne & Arapaho ERC - 257210 East Rd, Watonga
- West Siloam Assembly of God - 5524 Cedar Drive, Colcord
- Woodward Cheyenne & Arapaho ERC - 43554 CR, Woodward
Additional shelters and warming stations are open locally for people experiencing homelessness including in Tulsa and Oklahoma City:
TRAVEL DISCOURAGED DURING WINTER STORM
The Governor has authorized the deployment of Oklahoma National Guard to join Stranded Motorist Recovery Teams in north and northeastern Oklahoma. The teams, operating under the direction of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, consist of approximately 10 Guardsmen each, utilizing Humvees, wreckers, and Light Medium Tactical Vehicles. The teams are based out of Vinita, Chouteau, and Perry, with a fourth team on standby. Also involved in Stranded Motorist Recovery Team coordination are Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews continue to plow and treat highways and interstates as a winter storm moves through the region. Highways in most of north central, northeast, central, southwest, south central and eastern Oklahoma are considered slick and hazardous This includes the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. Slightly more moderate conditions are reported in northwest and southeast Oklahoma; however, travelers should still be aware of slick spots, especially on elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses.
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) crews are treating and plowing all turnpikes and will continue to treat as necessary and as weather moves farther south. I-44/Turner Turnpike between Oklahoma City and Tulsa is considered slick in spots. I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike is snow covered and considered slick.
Drivers should avoid travel if possible. If travel is unavoidable, slow down and drive for conditions. Stay 200 feet behind road clearing equipment – that’s about the length of four school busses. Give trucks plenty of room to maneuver.
ODOT and OTA remind Oklahomans that even after snowfall ends, the work to clear roadways continues. Drivers should continue to drive carefully and avoid road clearing equipment until all roads are clear.
Oklahoma Forestry Services is on standby with heavy equipment to assist with clearing of soft surface roads.
Check current road conditions on the interactive travel map at www.okroads.org or through the free Drive Oklahoma mobile app.
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.
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