A powerful chilly entrance moved by central Oklahoma early Thursday, bringing wind chills starting from minus 10 to minus 25, freezing drizzle and light snow. A winter climate advisory was in impact by midday Thursday.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Norman mentioned wind gusts had been reaching 35-45 mph alongside and behind the chilly entrance.
Light snow was expected to fall by Thursday, although accumulations within the Oklahoma City space had been expected to be lower than an inch. Parts of northeast Oklahoma may see as much as 3 inches of snow, based on the National Weather Service.
The Oklahoman might be offering updates because the chilly entrance strikes by the state on Thursday. Check again to this text for the newest developments.
More:Where to search out in a single day shelter in OKC for the unhoused throughout excessive winter climate
Flights delayed, canceled at Will Rogers World Airport
Holiday journey plans took a success Thursday due to the winter storm.
At least 19 flights coming into, or out of Oklahoma City, had been canceled at Will Rogers World Airport as of 10:45 Thursday, according to FlightAware.com.
Another 15 flights had been delayed.
Stacey Hamm, the airport’s public information officers, described flight disruptions, up to now, as minimal. Hamm mentioned foot site visitors contained in the airport is fairly light and he or she inspired passengers to examine with their airways earlier than heading to the airport to ensure they do not make a visit unnecessarily.
– Staff stories
Oklahoma street circumstances proceed to deteriorate
Eastbound lanes of the Turner Turnpike had been closed Thursday after the Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to a deadly accident close to the intersection with the Kickapoo Turnpike in Lincoln County.
Sarah Stewart, the Department of Public Safety’s director of media operations, mentioned there have been two accidents at that location, involving 5 – 6 automobiles.
Eastbound lanes of the turnpike remained closed at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
Stewart mentioned troopers have responded to dozens of accidents, most involving single automobiles the place drivers misplaced management as a result of they had been touring too quick for present street circumstances.
“The wind chills are the most dangerous issue with today’s storm,” Stewart mentioned. “If you are going anywhere, bundle up appropriately and take a blanket with you in your car.
“You may simply suppose you’re going from level A to level B, however if you’re concerned in a crash or get caught on the aspect of the street, you need to have the ability to preserve your self as heat as doable.”
Travelers can preserve updated with street circumstances utilizing the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s interactive road conditions map. You can click on to see reside photographs from cameras throughout the state.
– Jack Money
OG&E reporting energy outages north and west of Oklahoma City
Nearly 6,000 OG&E customers north and west of Oklahoma City were without power Thursday morning as an arctic cold front hit the state with frigid temperatures and high winds.
Outages were being reported near El Reno, southeast of Enid and west of Perkins.
In a news release, OG&E said most outages were due to high winds that have downed power lines as well as broken power poles. OG&E also said its power plants were meeting customer demands for activity.
OG&E clients can preserve monitor of outages utilizing the corporate’s System Watch.
– Ryan Sharp
Gov. Kevin Stitt declares state of emergency
Late Wednesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for all 77 counties in Oklahoma due to the inclement weather.
In a Twitter submit saying the declaration, Stitt urged Oklahomans to remain inside and examine on their neighbors.
Stitt’s executive order temporarily suspends requirements for size and weights permits of oversized vehicles transporting materials and supplies used for emergency relief and possible power restoration.
The order also temporarily waived some restrictions on storage of natural gas, effectively allowing dealers to stock their tanks if they are less than 10% full without going through the usual regulatory approval.
During Winter Storm Uri, in February 2021, natural gas was in such high demand it outpaced supply and led to massive spikes in prices. Utilities paid exorbitant rates to obtain the natural gas that was used throughout Oklahoma during the storm to keep homes and businesses heated, and residents are expected to pay back those costs for decades to come through their utility providers.
The Oklahoman will continue to monitor the natural gas markets in coming days to determine if a similar run on natural gas occurs.
The executive order will be in effect for seven days.
– Staff reports
More:How to keep your pipes from bursting during the deep freeze barreling toward Oklahoma
Red Cross provides tips for freezing weather
With bitterly-cold weather expected across much of the central United States, the Red Cross provided tips for managing the freezing temperatures.
- Have an emergency plan in place. Know who your support network will be in case you need help or a place to stay.
- Drain outside faucets so they don’t freeze and burst. Insulate them as best you can.
- Make sure you have plenty of heating fuel, be it propane, wood, or other.
- Check your smoke alarms and be sure they are working properly. If you don’t have any, the Red Cross can install them for free. Visit redcross.org to search out information.
- Keep your phones charged and have a backup power source ready in case the power goes out.
- Keep your vehicle fueled. You never know if you may have to evacuate your home or could get stranded on the road. You want to be able to stay warm until help arrives.
- Make sure a roadside emergency kit is in your car and has everything you need in case you get stranded: blankets, gloves, flares, water, snacks.
- Remember your pets. Give them extra blankets or something to keep them warm. They withstand the cold about like we do. Bring them indoors if you have to. Check on outdoor animals and see that they have water and food that isn’t frozen.
- Check on your senior adult neighbors. Make sure they have everything they need to shelter in place if needed.
– Staff stories
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