Snow hits Oklahoma as highway crews go to work

Snow started blanketing western Oklahoma Sunday morning while rain fell in other areas of the state.

As the winter storm approached the state, Oklahoma City announced its street crews had made preparations ahead of the arrival of the storm.

Trucks mounted with plows and salt spreaders were ready to respond in the event of any accumulation of snow or ice on the city’s  snow routes. Crews will work 12-hour shifts until the snow routes are clear.

Find the Oklahoma City snow route map at okc.gov/winter.

The city also had reminders for residents and some of those recommendations applied to other parts of the state as well.

Remember to turn off sprinklers at your home or business whenever the temperature is below freezing to prevent more ice from forming on sidewalks and streets.

Preparation tips

The Oklahoma City’s Office of Emergency Management offers these tips and more at okc.gov/winter:

• Know the snow routes in your area. There are interactive maps on okc.gov and data.okc.gov.
• 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.
• 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) 297-2833 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.
• Turn off your automatic sprinkler systems.
• Make sure elderly family members, friends and neighbors are prepared for the storm, and check on them during and after the storm.
• Click here for more winter safety tips.

Driving safety tips

• Use extra caution when driving over bridges and overpasses.
• 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?
• Don’t use your automatic speed control

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