Spring storms bring tornadoes, flooding to state

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Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

The following is a situation update from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management:

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A powerful storm system is beginning to exit the state. In the wake of yesterday’s storms there will be strong winds across the state today with an isolated chance of showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will be much cooler into the weekend with a chance of freezing temperatures across the northern half of the state Saturday morning.

Injuries and Fatalities

Injuries were reported in Muldrow following the storm that moved through the area Wednesday night.

A 62-year-old woman died when her vehicle hydroplaned on US-62 near Apache, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP). OHP also worked numerous traffic collisions, including an injury wreck on US-75 in Okmulgee County. Eastbound lanes of the Will Rogers Turnpike are closed at mile marker 260 due to an injury accident involving two semi tractor trailers. Troopers advise that roadways are flooded in some areas and slick in still more. They urge motorists to slow down and drive for the conditions.

State Assistance

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center. OEM personnel are en route to assist in the hardest hit areas of the state, including Muldrow and Hannah. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oklahoma Corporation Commission and OHP are also assisting the impacted communities.

Power Outages

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports storm damage assessments continue. Construction and service crews are being diverted to areas that received significant storm damage. Eastern Oklahoma has received some damage to transmission lines and substations, leaving about 15,500 homes and businesses across the state without electric service. OG&E reports 11,740 customers without power, including 1,477 in Marietta, 1,321 in Tishomingo, 1,223 in Muldrow, and 902 in Warner. PSO reports 4,100 without power, which includes 1,800 in the Tulsa area and 2,100 in the McAlester area.

Road Closings

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports highways are closed due to downed power lines across roadways and high water. Motorists are advised against driving into water on roadways and urged to obey all road closing signs and barricades. It only takes a minimal amount of moving water for cars to be swept away and there may be unseen damage to the road. Motorists who encounter flooded roads should turn around and find an alternate route.

Currently, the following roads are reported closed:

Canadian County

SH-4 is closed between Wagner Rd. and SH-66, north of Yukon and SH-66 at Alfadale Rd. in El Reno

Cherokee County

SH-80 between Hulbert and Wildwood

LeFlore County

US-270 between Wister and Heavener

McCurtain County

US-259A between Broken Bow Lake Spillway and Beavers Bend Park

Muskogee County

SH-104 east of Haskell

Okfuskee County