Oklahoma City Winter Storm Situation Update For February 16

Press release from the City of Oklahoma City:

February 16, 2021

Several rounds of snow and dangerously low temperatures are affecting Oklahoma City and is expected to continue through the week. This is an update on city services and some of our partners for Feb. 16.

Streets

At least one lane in each direction has been cleared by City crews and contractors along City snow routes.

City street crews driving 25 trucks with snowplows are working around the clock. Crews will continue to plow the City’s snow routes until conditions improve. Contractors are on stand-by until the next round of snow starts to move through OKC. Salt is not being applied to streets because it is less effective in low temperatures.

There are 8,500 lane miles* in Oklahoma City, of that 1,800 lane miles are on snow routes. Neighborhood streets are not part of the snow routes and will not be treated.

People are encouraged to avoid driving during hazardous conditions. If you must drive you should have someone to call in case you are stranded. If you get stranded, try to move your car off the road so other vehicles can safely pass.

Public Works has more than 9,000 tons of salt on hand, which is more than needed to treat City streets during this storm.

People can get updates at okc.gov/ice.

*A lane mile is a mile of roadway in a single driving lane.

Airport

Another round of cancellations are disrupting air travel Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning as the second storm moves into the OKC metro. Travelers can expect a sharp reduction in available flights over the next few days as airlines attempt to recover. If the storm moves through quickly, some airlines will attempt to get flights moving by late morning and mid-day on Wednesday.

Crews are working in shifts to maintain the airfield, airport roadways, sidewalks and employee parking facilities at the airport. 40 maintenance employees are staying activated throughout the storm and will work in 12-hour rotations.

In such cold conditions, customers are encouraged to utilize Lot #2 for parking. Drivers for the Giddy Up Shuttles in Lot #2 have stayed on alert and are watching for customers as they enter. Many times, drivers can pick customers up at their vehicles and provide transportation to the terminal doors.

Travelers and visitors should frequently check the status of their flight prior to coming to the airport. Most airlines offer flight updates via mobile app, text notifications or on the airline’s website.

Utilities – Water, trash and recycling

Some customers on the City’s water system may experience lower-than-normal pressures as the water system is at summer peak demand. Line maintenance crews are also responding to multiple main breaks, which during these extreme temperatures, may take longer to repair.

Trash, recycling and bulky waste collection has been postponed due to ongoing weather concerns. The new schedule is as follows: Trash and recycling collection for Monday, Feb. 15 is moved to Saturday, Feb. 20. Tuesday trash and recycling collection is moved to Sunday, Feb. 21. Normal operations will resume for Thursday and Friday trash and recycling collection.

Customers who have bulky waste collection this week are asked to put their items to the curb no later than 6 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18. Bulky waste operations will work Thursday, Feb. 18 through Sunday, Feb. 21. Customers are asked to leave any bulky items in a visible location along the curb and make sure it is not covered by snow.

The snow may cause additional limbs to fall from trees. If this happens, please set them out with your regular bulky waste. All regular bulky waste rules will apply.

EMBARK

EMBARK bus service has implemented a plan to run reduced service levels on Wednesday February 17. The service levels will be equivalent to weekend service, which is one-hour frequency on most routes operating from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Customers will be advised by 3 p.m. on Wednesday via embarkok.com and social media if reduced service levels will continue on Thursday. EMBARK bus transportation from the Willard Center and Homeless Alliance to the municipal warming center at Red Andrews Park will continue. Public Transit is free for any resident needing transportation to a warming center or shelter.

EMBARK Plus ADA Transportation will maintain normal service. EMBARK Plus customers are asked to call their destination to verify they are open before making the trip. EMBARK Mobility Management Services are suspended.

OKC STREETCAR has temporarily suspended operation of the streetcar vehicles to conserve electricity during low ridership and extreme weather conditions putting demands on energy supply. Shuttle van service is being provided for anyone at a streetcar platform attempting to use the system.

PARKING The Civic Center Parking Garage and Arts District Parking garages are open but elevators are inoperable. Residents using on street metered parking are encouraged to use the mobile payment app, found at parkingokc.com, to pay for their parking transaction from the warmth of their vehicle.

Get the latest updates on EMBARK winter weather delays and cancelations.

Parks and Recreation

The Parks Department has closed all its public facilities, Will Rogers Gardens, and Martin Park Nature Center and will reopen Thursday, February 18, weather permitting. Virtual Academy, which is held at multiple community centers will be closed until Thursday, February 18. Parents will be notified if the closure is extended to Friday.

Municipal Courts

Court sessions have been canceled for Wednesday, Feb 17 and Thursday, Feb 18. If you cannot attend your scheduled court date at any time due to the road conditions or weather, please call (405) 297-3898 to reschedule.

EMSA

EMSA continues to respond to medical emergencies in Oklahoma City. They remain very concerned about cold exposure and hypothermia calls, having responded to 11 already today. EMSA has also responded to three carbon monoxide poisoning calls in the OKC area on Tuesday. Residents who need to go outside for any amount of time for any reason, should be dressed in layers with their hands and head covered. They should also wear proper footwear (tight fitting shoes with grip/traction).

Planned power outages happened this morning in the EMSA service area, and EMSA’s 911 Communications Center saw an influx of calls from people who rely on powered medical equipment and/or have refrigerated medications. Given weather conditions, today’s 911 call volume during the outages was not sustainable. With more outages possible this week, it’s important residents know what to do if they lose power.

Before calling 911, patients should contact their medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Patients should find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications and machines that are critical for life. Remember, these planned power outages are expected to last no more than two hours.

As always, any patient experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 immediately. EMSA will respond as quickly and safely as possible.

People experiencing Homelessness

A daytime warming center is open from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12 through Friday, Feb. 19 at Municipal Gym in Red Andrews Park, 720 NW 8. Parks and Recreation employees are staffing the center.

The Homeless Alliance Day Shelter (1729 NW 3rd) will remain open 7-days a week for the next two weeks from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pets are welcome and no ID is required.

Those needing shelter overnight can go to Willard Winter Shelter, 1400 NW 3. Hours are 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. Pets are welcome, and nobody will be turned away. If the shelter reaches capacity, guests will be transported to another location that will provide backup capacity.

The Salvation Army (1001 N. Pennsylvania) will be providing winter shelter for women & women with children 24/7 throughout the storm.

The NE OKC Community & Cultural Center (3815 N Kelley) and Joe's Addiction (1725 SE 59) will be open 24-hrs/day.

Those wanting to make donations or volunteer should follow homeokc, Homeless Alliance, Salvation Army, City Rescue Mission and the other organizations previously listed on social media.

City owned lakes closed

All City-owned lake and pond surfaces are temporarily closed to prevent people and their pets from walking out on the ice. This closure prohibits fishing, boating, walking, skating, or any other activity in, or on the surface of a lake and pond. Unless posted otherwise, the park grounds are not affected by this closure. People who refuse to leave may be subject to a trespassing citation.

Police

If you are forced to abandon your vehicle, do not leave it in within a lane of traffic or within an intersection. Park it legally off the road or in a parking lot. Officers will use discretion and will not tow your vehicle unless it is a hazard and would likely cause an accident if not removed.

Vehicles left on the road in the designated show routes will be towed to allow snowplows to pass. All abandoned vehicles left on the roadway will be checked for occupants. Unoccupied abandoned vehicles, that have been checked, will be marked by a noticeable piece of yellow or blue tape. There is no need to report an abandoned vehicle that has been marked by yellow or blue tape. Stranded residents that may need shelter, whether homeless or not, can be reported by calling 911 to check their welfare.

Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and carry a charger or external battery for your cell phone. If you experience vehicle problems or get stuck, call someone capable of helping with the situation such as a tow truck or 911.

Power outages should be reported to the respective utility and do not need to be reported to 911.

Fire

Talk to your children about saying off frozen lakes and ponds. We should never consider it safe to get on icy bodies of water in Oklahoma. Continue to use extreme caution with all heat sources. OKCFD responded to four fires within the last three days caused by heaters being placed under homes to keep pipes warm. Ensure that you have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. If you live in OKC and need a new smoke alarm, OKCFD provides and installs those free of charge. Call 405-316-2337 to schedule your installation.

Animal Welfare

If it is too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

• Towel dry your pet immediately after they come inside, paying attention to their paws and stomach.
• Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

• Dog houses without insulation are not enough to protect dogs from hypothermia. Freezing drinking water also poses a risk to pets.

ONG

If you smell a natural gas odor, leave the area immediately then call 911 and 800-458-4251.

Winter weather tips to help you prepare for the storm:

Stay on snow routes

Stay home if you can. If you must drive, stay on the City’s snow routes. Visit www.okc.gov/prepare to see the regional snow route map.

Give plow/salt trucks space

Keep about 200 feet between your vehicle and salt/plow trucks.

Accident tracker

Residents can view injury and noninjury accidents on OKC roads by logging on to the City’s accident tracker at www.okc.gov

Protect Your Pipes

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. Watch this video about protecting your pipes in winter weather.

Keep necessities on-hand

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. Get extra medication, oxygen or other medical supplies if it's possible you'll need a refill before the storm's effects are over.

Turn off sprinklers

Home and business owners are asked to turn off sprinkler systems when the temperature drops below freezing to keep city streets from icing over.

Check on your neighbors

Make sure elderly family members, friends and neighbors are prepared for the storm, and check on them during and after the storm.

Power outages

Keep your cell phone charged in case of a power outage. Residents can report power outages at www.oge.com

Safely Use Alternative Heating Sources

Fires at home are common in the winter because of improper use of dangerous heating sources. Here are some tips from the Fire Department:

• Make sure working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are properly installed in your home. Alarms should be installed inside each sleeping area, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Test your smoke alarms monthly and install fresh batteries twice per year when the time changes.
• Space heaters need space. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn (furniture, bedding, curtains, etc.) Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Keep all combustible materials away from floor furnaces.
• Remove any combustibles from central heater closets.
• Use a metal grate to hold logs inside fireplaces. Use an approved metal or glass screen in front of fireplaces to prevent embers from flying out of the firebox and into the home.
• Ensure the fire in the fireplace is completely extinguished before going to bed.
• Have fireplaces inspected and/or cleaned annually by a qualified chimney sweep specialist.
• Do not place hot fireplace ashes into dumpsters. Place ashes into a sealed metal container and store well away from the home for several days before final disposal.
• Remember to open the damper before lighting the fireplace.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Use portable generators outside and well away from the home. Position so that fumes and deadly carbon monoxide will not enter the home through doors, windows, or vents.

Dress for the conditions.

Dressing in layers is key, as it not only keeps you warm but allows you to adjust to changing temperatures. Proper gloves, socks and footwear are essential. Choose headwear that keeps your head and ears warm. Ski masks can also help to warm your neck and warm the air you’re breathing.

Energy saving tips from ONG

Oklahoma Natural Gas encourages customers to practice simple energy-saving tips and conservation efforts to manage their winter heating bills.

• Keep warm, not hot When possible wear additional layers of clothing, consider turning down your thermostat and check your programmable settings.
• Seal leaks around doors and windows Apply weatherstripping or caulk to seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors to stop air leaks and prevent energy loss. If that is not an option, you can also cover windows with towels, sheets or plastic to help keep the warm air in your house.
• Reduce the temperature on your water heater Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or put it on the “warm” setting. If your home will be vacant for two days or more, set the dial to the pilot position for even more savings.
• Close blinds and curtains This helps keep warm air inside, especially if the sun is not shining.
• Change or clean filters A clean filter on your furnace can lower your energy consumption by 5% to 15%. Dirty filters cost more to use and overwork the equipment.
• Hold off on doing chores Doing laundry and washing dishes can both use natural gas to heat the water and your dryer. If you can, wait until the extreme cold weather passes to complete these activities. If you cannot wait, use the cold setting where possible.
• Install foam gaskets on electrical switches and outlets Electrical switches and outlets can account for up to 10% of your home’s energy loss.

Additionally, remember these safety tips:

• Never use your stove or oven for home heating.
• Make sure nothing obstructs a furnace’s air intake and that vents and flues are intact and unblocked to avoid the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• When removing ice and snow in the vicinity of meters, vents or flues, do so carefully so as not to cause damage.
• Leave cabinet doors open, especially those on exterior walls, to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

Winter Driving

• If possible, avoid driving while streets are covered in ice and snow.
• Have your vehicle winterized by a qualified mechanic.
• Make sure your tires have adequate tread for the conditions.
• Reduce speeds.
• Fill up your gas tank.
• Allow more time to slow down and stop.
• Allow more space between you and the car in front of you.
• Be sure to use your headlights so your car is visible during inclement weather.
• Watch this video with winter driving tips

Winter Weather Vehicle Emergency Preparedness Kit

• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
• Compass and road maps
• Shovel
• Tire repair kit and pump
• Flares
• Extra clothing to keep dry and gloves
• Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire traction
• Tow rope

This press release was produced by the City of Oklahoma City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.