Oklahoma weather: Snow blankets state Friday

Throughout Oklahoma City, city workers dropped salt on slippery patches along snow routes, city spokeswoman Kristy Yager said.

“We have only 33 trucks, and we're trying to concentrate on those snow routes,” Yager said. “Right now they're looking for slick spots. It's not a complete salt operation because it's just not necessary. The ground temperatures are warm enough on our routes.”

The snow routes are designed to come within a mile of most homes in the city, Yager said. Oklahoma City covers 621 square miles.

Crews worked to drop salt on snow routes ahead of the expected Christmas Day snow, and that work helped keep streets clean Friday, Yager said.

“The salt that we dropped over the last few days has made a difference,” she said.

Also, bridges and overpasses were brined earlier this week and Friday morning. Brining is a process of spraying a salt water mixture before the snow arrives to prevent it from sticking to streets.

The slick conditions that did exist Friday led to several people being taken to hospitals, Emergency Medical Services Authority spokeswoman Lara O'Leary said.

Between midnight and 4 p.m. Friday, EMSA received 22 calls for slips and falls; 18 people were taken to the hospital. In addition, EMSA received 10 calls for traffic accidents, leading to two people being taken to hospitals.

Yager said city crews will remain on standby for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day to help respond to dangerous conditions. The city has plenty of salt in storage, and more is on the way just in case, she said.