First Responders Break Down Winter Weather Response

First responders and utility companies have been incredibly busy during Thursday’s winter storm. 

First responders said the best way to stay safe is to stay off the road completely, if possible. 

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has responded to 577 total incidents since midnight. Fourteen of those were abandoned vehicles, one driving under the influence, three fatality collisions, seven hit-and-run collisions, 72 injury collisions, 110 motorist assists, 332 non-injury collisions, and five welfare checks.

News 9 spoke with Trooper Eric Foster with OHP who said it's important to have extra warm clothes, a blanket and water if people do have to go out on the roads today. 

He said troopers are working to respond to all of the calls, but this way people will stay safe and warm as they respond if people are in an incident.

He also advised to keep phones charged in case people have to call law enforcement, and make sure people notify friends or family if they’re headed out Thursday, in case they are involved in a traffic incident.

“Always be prepared for the weather that's at hand, so if you just think ahead. If I get stopped or my car stops running and it's four degrees outside- what do I need? Well, you need a blanket. You probably need some water because you don't know how long the first responders might get to get there," Trooper Eric Foster with OHP said.

EMSA told News9 they have responded to 12 cold exposure calls in their Oklahoma City Western District, and seven of those have been transported. 

“What concerns us the most is that there's going to be a stretch of cold days, and we're not going to really get a break for, you, know, three to four days. so just making sure. that you know folks are taking these temperatures seriously," Adam Paluka with EMSA said.

Paluka also advises that people dress in layers, even if they are just going outside for a few minutes. He said people shouldn't be out on the roads during this kind of weather unless it's absolutely necessary. 

“It's not an option for us to stay home. We have to be out on the roads, everybody who is out on the road, hopefully they're there because it's a necessity, but if you can put off travel and you can stay home, that helps us out tremendously,” Paluka said.

"We encourage our customers to have a safety plan for cold weather, including checking in on homebound and elderly neighbors and family. Make sure devices are charged, gas tanks are full and that you have blankets at the ready in vehicles. Find more severe weather preparation tips here.. 

A list of  warming stations in the OG&E service area is available on OG&E’s website for customers who may need to find a safe and warm place during this winter weather.

OG&E customers can sign up for myOGEalerts and monitor the storm impact here. Customers signed up for myOGEalerts receive outage information by text, email and/or phone and can report outages by text.

Stay away from downed lines and anything they are touching. Please report downed power lines by calling 800-522-6870.

AAA says the most common reasons for calls are:

1. Tow due to vehicle failure/slide off
2. Battery failure
3. Flat tire