LIVE UPDATES: Oklahomans urged to conserve electricity amid extreme winter weather
Oklahoma is experiencing wind chills beneath zero on Monday after a winter storm dumped heavy snow throughout the state and brought on hazardous driving situations. [/mediaosvideo]4:20 p.m. Update: EMSA mentioned they’ve responded to 29 falls and 13 chilly exposures to this point within the Oklahoma City metro. 3:17 p.m. Update: A winter storm warning is now issued for a lot of Oklahoma, together with central Oklahoma, as one other spherical of snow is anticipated to transfer into the state Tuesday afternoon.2:55 p.m. Update: The Oklahoma State Department of Health introduced that the Cleveland County Health Department will postpone COVID-19 vaccine appointments scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday at Sooner Mall in Norman.According to a information launch, the appointments have been canceled due to inclement weather and dangerous journey situations.People who have been scheduled for his or her vaccine appointment for Tuesday are rescheduled for a similar time on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at Sooner Mall. Clients who’ve a Wednesday appointment are rescheduled for a similar time on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Sooner Mall.The information launch states that purchasers ought to obtain an e mail with particulars. The purchasers don’t want to return to the portal to search one other appointment time, well being division officers mentioned.1:30 p.m. Update: OKCPS will make a shift to asynchronous distant studying on Tuesday and Wednesday as winter weather continues. This signifies that, starting Tuesday, lecturers could have assignments obtainable for all college students to full at their very own tempo and their very own by Canvas. “We realize that our families and staff may be experiencing internet, power and/or water outages, and we are hopeful that a shift to asynchronous for Tuesday and Wednesday will allow families much needed flexibility. We simply ask that students log in and complete assignments if and when they can,” OKCPS officers mentioned in an announcement.OKCPS Curbside Meal Service continues to be suspended for Tuesday and Wednesday and all district-sponsored actions have been cancelled as properly.1 p.m. Update: OG&E advised KOCO 5’s Dillon Richards that for the primary time in its historical past, it’s implementing short-term energy service interruptions for patrons throughout its space. Officials mentioned individuals ought to count on that they are going to lose energy for so long as an hour over the subsequent few days, maybe a number of occasions. The Southwest Power Pool has directed member energy corporations, together with these in Oklahoma, to implement managed outages amid an “unprecedented event” that has strained the ability grid and exhausted reserve power.Officials are urging Oklahomans to conserve power and put together for managed interruptions. 10:04 a.m. Update: Attorney General Mike Hunter is reminding Oklahomans trying to do enterprise within the state that the value gouging statute is in impact statewide with the continuing state of emergency due to the winter weather that continues to affect the state.The Emergency Price Stabilization Act, additionally referred to the state worth gouging statute, prohibits a rise of greater than 10% for the value of products or companies after a declared emergency, in accordance to the AG’s workplace. The statute mechanically triggers after the issuance of a state or federal emergency declaration.Hunter mentioned the statute permits his workplace to pursue prices in opposition to people or companies that have interaction in worth gouging.9:45 a.m. Update: Sky 5 flew over the snow-covered Oklahoma City Monday morning:8:30 a.m. Update: KOCO 5 Reporter Christine Stanwood got here throughout an enormous snow pile in downtown Oklahoma City as avenue crews work to clear the roadways.8:20 a.m. Update: EMSA officers mentioned they responded to three falls and two chilly publicity calls as of Monday morning. 8 a.m. Update: Keli Cain with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management joined KOCO 5 News to focus on the division’s response to the winter weather, urging individuals to keep house if they will.6:55 a.m. Update: Meteorologist Michael Armstrong shared this photograph of the sundog Monday morning:7:08 a.m. Update: KOCO 5 Reporter Zach Rael mentioned Norman cops have been working exhausting all morning pushing vehicles caught in snow. They mentioned they’ve personally pushed 50 vehicles out Monday morning. 6:30 a.m. Update: According to Oklahoma City officers, metropolis streets are slick and dangerous Monday morning. Residents are urged to keep house if they will. Teams of three to 4 plows are working collectively to clear one lane of visitors in every path alongside snow routes, officers mentioned. City officers mentioned there are a lot of deserted vehicles on routes that plows have to work round. Drifts are additionally inflicting problems for plow drivers. 5:30 a.m. Update: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation supplied an replace on highway situations. Officials mentioned the highest challenges for journey Monday morning stay mild to heavy snowfall in areas throughout the state leading to continued snow-pack on highways which are slick and dangerous in spots. Drifting and blowing snow is creating visibility issues in a number of areas of the state, particularly alongside the I-35 hall.Dangerous and life-threatening conditions may happen if drivers grow to be stranded within the storm, officers mentioned. Travel stays extremely discouraged at the moment.ODOT crews proceed around-the-clock plowing operations, nevertheless, extraordinarily low temperatures proceed to hamper removing of snow pack and slick spots on highways, officers mentioned. These situations persist statewide various by county. If journey is critical Monday morning, additional warning must be used on bridges, overpasses and when getting into or exiting highways.Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro highways are snow lined with slick and dangerous situations and blowing snow due to earlier rounds of snow and frigid temperatures, officers mentioned. Southcentral and southern Oklahoma highways are snow packed and slick in spots with mild to heavy snow falling and wind-driven drifting inflicting visibility points, in accordance to ODOT. While northbound and southbound I-35 has one lane clear in every path between Davis and Wayne, the remainder of the southern hall is snow full of slick and dangerous spots. Blowing snow is anticipated to decrease visibility and impede journey all through the early morning hours.The I-40, I-44 and US-69 corridors additionally stay snow packed and slick in spots and visibility is hampered in areas by blowing snow.The continued cycles of snow storms can hamper plowing and clearing operations, inflicting slick areas to develop shortly and poor visibility due to winds. Crews will proceed plowing operations till highways are dry and clear, which doubtlessly could possibly be a big period of time. 5 a.m. Update: First Alert Field Meteorologist Michael Armstrong captured video of a snow financial institution seen close to Northwest 164th Street and MacArthur. 4:40 a.m. Update: Monday will see dangerously low temperatures throughout Oklahoma following Sunday’s heavy snowfall.But Oklahomans must be ready for the second spherical of snow that’s anticipated to come into the Sooner State on Tuesday and Wednesday.KOCO 5 First Alert Meteorologist Jonathan Conder seems on the timeline for when you may count on one other spherical of snow. Watch the video participant above to see his newest timeline.3:30 a.m. Update: OG&E’s system watch confirmed a big drop within the variety of clients with out energy Monday morning. As of three:30 a.m., system watch exhibits that greater than 4,500 clients are with out energy after the web site mentioned greater than 7,000 did not have energy. The majority of the outages have been reported in Muldrow, the place greater than 2,200 clients are with out energy.CLICK HERE to observe energy outages on OG&E’s system watch.3:15 a.m. Update: More than 7,000 OG&E clients don’t have energy early Monday morning as elements of the Oklahoma City metro are seeing temperatures close to or beneath 0 levels. The most outages have been reported in Oklahoma City – greater than 3,100 clients – and Muldrow – greater than 2,200.CLICK HERE to observe energy outages on OG&E’s system watch.2:40 a.m. Update: All lanes of the Turner Turnpike have reopened after a fiery crash involving 4 semitrucks and 4 privately owned autos Sunday afternoon simply east of Oklahoma City.Department of Public Safety officers introduced shortly earlier than 2:40 a.m. Monday that each one the westbound lanes have been open once more. The information got here a number of hours after the eastbound lanes reopened.According to Oklahoma City Fire Department officers, there have been no identified fatalities in reference to the crash. Four individuals, nevertheless, have been taken to hospitals by varied means.1:30 a.m. Update: The variety of OG&E clients with out energy following the heavy snowfall in Oklahoma has decreased since KOCO 5’s final report. As of 1:30 a.m. Monday, greater than 5,000 clients don’t have energy, which is down by about 1,000. The majority of the outages have been reported in Oklahoma City, the place OG&E’s system watch exhibits that greater than 4,500 clients are with out energy.CLICK HERE to observe energy outages on OG&E’s system watch.12:50 a.m. Update: More than 6,000 OG&E clients are with out energy early Monday morning following a day of heavy snowfall all through Oklahoma.CLICK HERE to observe energy outages on OG&E’s system watch.Be certain to obtain the KOCO 5 App to obtain custom-made weather alerts. You can watch our crew protection on the app, too.>> Check Live, Interactive Radar>> Check church closings>> Watch KOCO 5 Coverage>> Download the KOCO 5 App on iPhone>> Download the KOCO 5 App on Android>> “Like” KOCO 5 on Facebook>> “Follow” KOCO 5 on Twitter
Oklahoma is experiencing wind chills beneath zero on Monday after a winter storm dumped heavy snow throughout the state and brought on hazardous driving situations.
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KOCO 5 is bringing you complete winter weather coverage; keep refreshing this story for updates:
8:15 p.m. Update: Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management officials said Monday night that 123 injuries have been reported by area hospitals since Sunday. Those injuries include:
- 5 cut or pierce
- 94 slip or fall
- 1 poisoning
- 13 transportation-related
- 4 other
EMSA also said they have responded to 36 falls (27 transports) and 18 cold-exposure calls (11 transport) in the Oklahoma City area.
The Oklahoma State Department of Transportation also said that while highways are now dry and clear in sections, slick spots persist across the state with the potential for remaining wet areas to refreeze overnight. Because many highways are dry nil on sections, the slick spots are more likely to catch drivers unaware.
ODOT officials urge people to slow down, to drive defensively and to continue to use extra caution on the roads.
Drivers also should plan ahead and anticipate the need to potentially delay travel in the early morning hours Tuesday as slick spots are expected to persist while temperatures remain at record-breaking lows.
Slick spots and snow-packed areas are reported in both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas despite the progress made Monday. Crews will continue to plow loose snow off roadways, bridges and ramps.
6:35 p.m. Update: Controlled blackouts are on hold for now after, for the first time ever, OG&E was forced to temporarily turn off some people’s power because of a major strain on the electrical grid.
Even though they were put on hold, an organization issued a warning that more controlled blackouts are possible.
CLICK HERE for Dillon Richard’s report.
5:15 p.m. Update: Blowing snow from Sunday’s storm has created large snowdrifts all over the Oklahoma City metro, including Norman.
KOCO 5’s Zach Rael was in Norman, driving around Monday, to see what the area looks like. He got out of the car in downtown Norman to measure just how deep those snowdrifts are.
Watch the video player above for Zach’s report.
4:20 p.m. Update: EMSA said they have responded to 29 falls and 13 cold exposures so far in the Oklahoma City metro.
3:17 p.m. Update: A winter storm warning is now issued for much of Oklahoma, including central Oklahoma, as another round of snow is expected to move into the state Tuesday afternoon.
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2:55 p.m. Update: The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced that the Cleveland County Health Department will postpone COVID-19 vaccine appointments scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday at Sooner Mall in Norman.
According to a news release, the appointments have been canceled because of inclement weather and hazardous travel conditions.
People who were scheduled for their vaccine appointment for Tuesday are rescheduled for the same time on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at Sooner Mall. Clients who have a Wednesday appointment are rescheduled for the same time on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Sooner Mall.
The news release states that clients should receive an email with details. The clients do not need to return to the portal to seek another appointment time, health department officials said.
1:30 p.m. Update: OKCPS will make a shift to asynchronous remote learning on Tuesday and Wednesday as winter weather continues. This means that, beginning Tuesday, teachers will have assignments available for all students to complete at their own pace and their own through Canvas.
“We realize that our families and staff may be experiencing internet, power and/or water outages, and we are hopeful that a shift to asynchronous for Tuesday and Wednesday will allow families much needed flexibility. We simply ask that students log in and complete assignments if and when they can,” OKCPS officials said in a statement.
OKCPS Curbside Meal Service is still suspended for Tuesday and Wednesday and all district-sponsored activities have been cancelled as well.
1 p.m. Update: OG&E told KOCO 5’s Dillon Richards that for the first time in its history, it is implementing temporary power service interruptions for customers across its area. Officials said people should expect that they will lose power for as long as an hour over the next few days, perhaps multiple times.
The Southwest Power Pool has directed member power companies, including those in Oklahoma, to implement controlled outages amid an “unprecedented event” that has strained the power grid and exhausted reserve energy.
Officials are urging Oklahomans to conserve energy and prepare for controlled interruptions.
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10:04 a.m. Update: Attorney General Mike Hunter is reminding Oklahomans looking to do business in the state that the price gouging statute is in effect statewide with the ongoing state of emergency due to the winter weather that continues to impact the state.
The Emergency Price Stabilization Act, also referred to the state price gouging statute, prohibits an increase of more than 10% for the price of goods or services after a declared emergency, according to the AG’s office. The statute automatically triggers after the issuance of a state or federal emergency declaration.
Hunter said the statute allows his office to pursue charges against individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging.
9:45 a.m. Update: Sky 5 flew over the snow-covered Oklahoma City Monday morning:
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8:30 a.m. Update: KOCO 5 Reporter Christine Stanwood came across a massive snow pile in downtown Oklahoma City as street crews work to clear the roadways.
8:20 a.m. Update: EMSA officials said they responded to three falls and two cold exposure calls as of Monday morning.
8 a.m. Update: Keli Cain with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management joined KOCO 5 News to discuss the department’s response to the winter weather, urging people to stay home if they can.
6:55 a.m. Update: Meteorologist Michael Armstrong shared this photo of the sundog Monday morning:
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7:08 a.m. Update: KOCO 5 Reporter Zach Rael said Norman police officers have been working hard all morning pushing cars stuck in snow. They said they’ve personally pushed 50 cars out Monday morning.
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6:30 a.m. Update: According to Oklahoma City officials, city streets are slick and hazardous Monday morning. Residents are urged to stay home if they can. Teams of three to four plows are working together to clear one lane of traffic in each direction along snow routes, officials said.
City officials said there are many abandoned cars on routes that plows have to work around. Drifts are also causing complications for plow drivers.
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5:30 a.m. Update: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation provided an update on road conditions. Officials said the top challenges for travel Monday morning remain light to heavy snowfall in areas across the state resulting in continued snow-pack on highways that are slick and hazardous in spots. Drifting and blowing snow is creating visibility problems in multiple areas of the state, especially along the I-35 corridor.
Dangerous and life-threatening situations could occur if drivers become stranded in the storm, officials said. Travel remains highly discouraged at this time.
ODOT crews continue around-the-clock plowing operations, however, extremely low temperatures continue to hamper removal of snow pack and slick spots on highways, officials said. These conditions persist statewide varying by county. If travel is necessary Monday morning, extra caution should be used on bridges, overpasses and when entering or exiting highways.
Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro highways are snow covered with slick and hazardous conditions and blowing snow due to earlier rounds of snow and frigid temperatures, officials said.
Southcentral and southern Oklahoma highways are snow packed and slick in spots with light to heavy snow falling and wind-driven drifting causing visibility issues, according to ODOT. While northbound and southbound I-35 has one lane clear in each direction between Davis and Wayne, the rest of the southern corridor is snow packed with slick and hazardous spots. Blowing snow is expected to lower visibility and impede travel throughout the early morning hours.
The I-40, I-44 and US-69 corridors also remain snow packed and slick in spots and visibility is hampered in areas by blowing snow.
The continued cycles of snow storms can hamper plowing and clearing operations, causing slick areas to develop quickly and poor visibility due to winds. Crews will continue plowing operations until highways are dry and clear, which potentially could be a significant amount of time.
5 a.m. Update: First Alert Field Meteorologist Michael Armstrong captured video of a snow bank seen near Northwest 164th Street and MacArthur.
4:40 a.m. Update: Monday will see dangerously low temperatures across Oklahoma following Sunday’s heavy snowfall.
But Oklahomans should be prepared for the second round of snow that’s expected to come into the Sooner State on Tuesday and Wednesday.
KOCO 5 First Alert Meteorologist Jonathan Conder looks at the timeline for when you can expect another round of snow. Watch the video player above to see his latest timeline.
3:30 a.m. Update: OG&E’s system watch showed a significant drop in the number of customers without power Monday morning. As of 3:30 a.m., system watch shows that more than 4,500 customers are without power after the website said more than 7,000 didn’t have power. The majority of the outages have been reported in Muldrow, where more than 2,200 customers are without power.
CLICK HERE to track power outages on OG&E’s system watch.
3:15 a.m. Update: More than 7,000 OG&E customers do not have power early Monday morning as parts of the Oklahoma City metro are seeing temperatures near or below 0 degrees. The most outages have been reported in Oklahoma City – more than 3,100 customers – and Muldrow – more than 2,200.
CLICK HERE to track power outages on OG&E’s system watch.
2:40 a.m. Update: All lanes of the Turner Turnpike have reopened after a fiery crash involving four semitrucks and four privately owned vehicles Sunday afternoon just east of Oklahoma City.
Department of Public Safety officials announced shortly before 2:40 a.m. Monday that all the westbound lanes were open again. The news came several hours after the eastbound lanes reopened.
According to Oklahoma City Fire Department officials, there were no known fatalities in connection with the crash. Four people, however, were taken to hospitals by various means.
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1:30 a.m. Update: The number of OG&E customers without power following the heavy snowfall in Oklahoma has decreased since KOCO 5’s last report. As of 1:30 a.m. Monday, more than 5,000 customers do not have power, which is down by about 1,000. The majority of the outages have been reported in Oklahoma City, where OG&E’s system watch shows that more than 4,500 customers are without power.
CLICK HERE to track power outages on OG&E’s system watch.
12:50 a.m. Update: More than 6,000 OG&E customers are without power early Monday morning following a day of heavy snowfall throughout Oklahoma.
CLICK HERE to track power outages on OG&E’s system watch.
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