Emergency Team Helps Drivers Stranded In Oklahoma Storm

Jacqueline Sit, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A "stranded motorist strike team" has been activated to help travelers stuck in the snow. 

The team includes National Guard troops, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

"This team effort is designed to cut down on the response time because of wind chills and freezing temperatures," Michelann Ooten, Public Information Officer for Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, said. 

The Emergency Operations Center has received dozens of 911 calls from stranded drivers.

"There have been 160 calls since midnight to OHP from motorists who need help. This could include drivers who are involved in accidents or may need help getting out of a ditch," Ooten said. 

The teams are assisting stranded drivers on the Will Rogers Turnpike, Highway 75 in Tulsa and Washington Counties, Highway 60 in Osage County, and Highway 412 from Tulsa to the Arkansas state line.

National Guard troops will be deployed from three of the 14 armory stations that have been activated. Stranded travelers will be taken to the nearest warming station operated by the American Red Cross. 

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