Street Crews Prepping OKC Bridges For Possibility Of Ice

Oklahoma City street crews are preparing for the possibility of freezing drizzle on Friday by pre-treating bridges and overpasses.

In a press release sent to News 9, city officials said crews will be "on hand to salt streets along the city's snow routes if snow or ice begins to accumulate on the roadway."

They also offer these preparation tips:
The Office of Emergency Management offers these tips and more at okc.gov/prepare:
•    Have more than one way to get information in an emergency, including a source like a hand-powered NOAA Weather Radio that still works if you temporarily lose electricity during a storm. Other include television, radio, online news sources and smartphone apps like the American Red Cross' all-inclusive Emergency App for Apple and Android.
•    Know the snow routes in your area. There are interactive maps on okc.gov and data.okc.gov.
•    Be prepared to shelter-in-place.
•    Items for winter storms to add to your disaster kit include additional non-perishable food and water for one or two weeks, extra blankets, coats, gloves, winter hats, and water-resistant boots.
•    Put a disaster supply kit in your vehicle that includes blankets.
•    Keep your pets safe. Click here for tips from OKC Animal Welfare.
•    Keep your cellphone charged.
•    Open cabinet doors below sinks and let faucets drip if temperatures remain below freezing for a day or more. Call (405) 297-3334 if your pipes burst so City crews can shut off water to your home. Click here for more information about protecting your pipes in winter.
•    Make sure elderly family members, friends and neighbors are prepared for the storm, and check on them during and after the storm.
•    Get extra medication, oxygen or other medical supplies if it's possible you'll need a refill before the storm's effects are over.
•    Click here for more winter safety tips.

Driving safety tips
•    Use extra caution when driving over bridges and overpasses.
•    Turn off your automatic sprinkler systems.
•    Remember that posted speed limits are only to be followed during ideal weather conditions. Slow down while driving on snow or ice.
•    Give salt trucks plenty of room – stay at least 100 feet behind them so salt won’t get thrown on your car.
•    Plan ahead by getting up and leaving the house earlier.
•    Keep at least a three-car distance from the car in front of you
•    Steer and brake more slowly than usual.
•    Keep warm shoes and clothes in your car.
•    Clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before setting out.
•    Proceed carefully through intersections.
•    Have a plan if you slide off the road – who are you going to call?

News 9 Chief Meteorologist David Payne offered his thoughts Friday morning on the cold front and winter precipitation possibilities:

Take a moment and 'like' our meteorologists on Facebook. They provide you with weather information and analysis day and night. This is a really valuable resource during winter storms of all kinds.

David Payne - click here
Cassie Heiter - click here
Jed Castles - click here
Justin Rudicel - click here
Robyn King - click here
Matt Mahler - click here