Due to blizzard conditions, all highways in the northwestern Oklahoma counties of Cimarron, Beaver, Texas, Harper, Ellis, and Woodward are closed until further notice. The whiteout conditions have been periodically halting road clearing efforts. Crews are out in Woods, Alfalfa and Major counties, reporting slick and hazardous roadways and are treating roads and plowing as needed.
In western Oklahoma, there are reports of slick and hazardous roadways, and whiteout conditions are reported in Blaine and Beckham counties. Crews are sanding and salting areas and clearing roadways as needed. Drivers in these areas are encouraged to check weather conditions before heading out and to allow extra time getting to a destination should travel be necessary.
Travel is strongly discouraged in the hardest hit areas as stranded motorists can impede road clearing efforts.
I-40 is closed from the Texas/Oklahoma state line to Albuquerque, N.M. due to heavy snow and blizzard conditions. The Kansas Department of Transportation requested that US-283 be closed at US-64 due to equipment blocking the roadway in Kansas.
Snow has not yet fallen in the Oklahoma City or Tulsa metro areas, but once it intensifies, conditions can change rapidly. Drivers are cautioned to not have a false sense of security. Crews are standing by to treat areas as needed.
There are 550 trucks available statewide, including 60 in the Oklahoma City metro area and more than 40 in the Tulsa metro area, all of which are ready and prepared for this round of storms. Sand and salt sheds are stocked and crews are ready to respond to conditions.
Additional crews in areas not expected to get much snow are being mobilized to help with efforts in northern, northwestern and western Oklahoma. Other crews statewide are monitoring conditions as the storm moves across the state today.
During snow and/or ice conditions, motorists are asked to:
· Check road conditions before getting out on the roads.
· Stay at least 200 feet behind road-clearing equipment; crews need room to maneuver and can engage plowing or spreading materials without notice.
· Allow extra space between vehicles, so there is adequate distance for braking in wet and icy conditions.
· Be aware of "black ice," which looks wet on the roadway, but is actually a thin layer of ice.
· Please be patient, plan trips ahead and allow extra time to reach destinations
Out-of-State Road Conditions
Arkansas 800-245-1672
Colorado 303-639-1111
Kansas 866-511-5368
Missouri 800-222-6400
New Mexico 800-432-4269
Oklahoma 888-425-2385
Texas 800-452-9292
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