Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Traffic Advisory, issued at 5:15 a.m.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Road Conditions Update 2-26-13 – 5:15 a.m.

Due to high amounts of snow and large blowing drifts, all highways in the northwestern Oklahoma counties of Beaver, Harper, Ellis, and Woodward are closed until further notice. The whiteout conditions have been periodically halting road clearing efforts. Crews are out in Cimarron, Texas, Woods, Alfalfa and Major counties, and they are reporting slick and hazardous roadways and are treating roads and plowing as needed.

The following highways are now closed as of this morning:

• Garfield/Alfalfa Counties: SH-45 is closed between the Garfield county line and SH-8 in Alfalfa County.
• Canadian Co: US-270 is closed between Calumet and Geary in Canadian County.
• Harper Co: Northbound US-283 is closed between US-64 in Harper County and Englewood, Kansas.
• Garfield Co: Northbound US-81 closed north of Waukomis in Garfield County.
• Noble Co: SH-15 is closed between US-77 and I-35 in Noble County.

In western Oklahoma, roadways are slick and hazardous, and all highways are closed in Blaine, Beckham, Dewey and Roger Mills counties. Crews are sanding and salting areas and clearing roadways as needed. The low visibility is periodically halting road clearing efforts. Crews will resume as soon as conditions warrant. Travel there is also strongly discouraged at this time.

In north central Oklahoma, roadways are slick and hazardous. Crews are reporting heavy blowing snow in the area and travel is strongly discouraged.

Travel is strongly discouraged in these hardest hit areas as stranded motorists can impede road clearing efforts.

I-40 is closed from the Texas/Oklahoma state line west 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.

Slick roads have been reported in Tulsa, Craig and Rogers counties. Travel is discouraged in these portions of northeast Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma City metro are is reporting some slick spots. Drivers are cautioned to be extremely careful while traveling in the area.

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

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS, call the Department of Public Safety’s ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 888-425-2385.

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