Track Power Outages, Damage and Road Closures Around Metro

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Severe winter weather caused power outages across the metro along with damage and road closures. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has reported all metro interstates have bee reopened, but travel is strongly discouraged.

The Turner Turnpike, Kilpatrick Turnpike, H.E Bailey Turnpike and Will Rogers Turnpike have been reopened along with I-40, I-35 and I-44.

All lanes of I-44 eastbound around 55th Place in Tulsa, approximately 1/2 mile east of the Turner Turnpike Gate, have been reopened after a jack-knifed semi and other stranded cars caused the lanes to close.

Tuttle city officials said Highway 37 from Gregory to County Line Road is closed. Highway 4 south of the Canadian River to 1/2 mile South of Highway 37 is also closed.

Highway 152 between Mustang and Union City is closed until further notice due to and accident and stranded vehicles blocking the roadway.

Comanche County Emergency Management officials say one person died Thursday in an accident on Interstate 44 near Geronimo. The victim's name was not released. Three others were killed in an accident in Sand Springs Thursday.

U.S. 62 five miles west of Altus has been reopened. 62B east to US 62 in Kiowa County has been reopened.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation said roads in central and western Oklahoma are slowly starting to improve, but conditions remain slick and hazardous. ODOT crews in some northeastern counties are reporting drifted snow.

Dozens of abandoned vehicles remain on roadways all across the state adding to the difficult travel conditions.

Motorists who abandoned their vehicles during the storm are encouraged to work with emergency responders to remove their cars as soon as possible.

Snow crews in the metro are plowing around abandoned vehicles.

Get the latest live traffic and accident reports.

Drivers are reminded to stay at least 200 feet behind road-clearing equipment, for both their safety and the safety of the operators. During snow and/or ice conditions, motorists are asked to:

• Be aware that conditions are continually changing; drive cautiously and for the conditions on the roadway.
• Check road conditions before getting out on the roads.
• Allow extra space between vehicles, so there is adequate distance for braking in wet and icy conditions.
• Stay at least 200 feet behind road-clearing equipment; crews need room to maneuver and can engage plowing or spreading materials without notice.
• Be aware of "black ice," which looks wet on the roadway, but is actually a thin layer of ice.
• Please be patient, plan trips ahead and allow extra time to reach destinations.

EMSA paramedics recommend drivers have blankets, water, a charged cell phone and a full tank of gas in case you find yourself waiting on a tow truck or a first responder.

Waiting time for tow trucks Thursday ranged from 10 to 12 hours.

Since 5 a.m. Thursday, paramedics have transported 54 people to area hospitals. Over one hundred 911 calls have been received since 5 a.m., 25 have been motor vehicle crashes. EMSA transported 10 people to local hospitals for slips and falls. Medics are noting many cars stuck in the snow. EMSA advises anyone who must get out stock their cars with blankets, water, a charged cell phone and a full tank of gas should they find themselves awaiting a tow truck or a first responder. Anyone stepping outside should anticipate a slick driveway, porch or parking lot. Please move slowly, wear shoes that can create traction and carry a cell phone should they need to call 911.

All Downtown in December events scheduled for Christmas have been cancelled. Closures include the Devon Ice Rink, Chesapeake Snow Tubing at the Brickl.

Penn Square Mall will be open Saturday, December 26 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Showcase Antiques in Chickasaw reported their roof blown off due to high winds on Thursday. There were also reports of wind damage to Christmas decorations around Norman.

Power outages have been reporting in Yukon, Midwest City, Shawnee, across all parts of Oklahoma City, Moore, Mustang, Noble, Bethany, Norman. Track and report power outages with OG&E.