State Of Emergency In Oklahoma

Quite an ice storm out west… some details from KWTV:

OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Brad Henry has declared a state of emergency for the entire state as freezing rain and drizzle falls across Oklahoma.

“Oklahomans know all too well that severe winter weather poses serious challenges to everything from roads and power lines to debris removal, and so it is important that we be prepared for the worst,” Henry said.

The executive order marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary. Additionally, the executive order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions.

Freezing drizzle is moving across the state creating treacherous driving conditions.

The main forecast problem continues to be the potential winter weather event for early this week. Rain and freezing rain will expand over the state as the day progresses on Tuesday.

Areas southeast of Interstate 44 could see the greatest chance for ice. An ice storm warning has been issued for the McAllister area. See all the weather advisories listed below.

The state’s utility and road crews are preparing for the storm.

“Ice storms are a utility’s worst nightmare,” said Brian Alford, a spokesman for Oklahoma Gas & Electric, the state’s largest electric utility. “We have activated our incident command operation … and we’ll be in an around-the-clock mode for the next several days until we determine the extent of this storm.”

Alford said a devastating ice storm that pounded the state in December 2007 thinned out much of the dense vegetation that knocked out power lines, and the utility has focused on tree trimming for the last year to help ease the impact of future storms.

In Oklahoma City, 18 salt crews reported to work at midnight Sunday in preparation for sleet and rain and officials said the crews will focus their deicing efforts along the city’s emergency snow routes.

Bridges and overpasses along the snow route will be the first to be treated.

“We’re in the mode of waiting for the precipitation to happen, and we have crews who are continuing to monitor roadways,” said Brenda Perry, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, which is responsible for treating all interstates and highways in the state. “We work continually around the clock in different shifts.”

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