City of OKC running 12-hr shifts to treat streets overnight

OKLAHOMA CITY — As winter weather settles in once again, City of Oklahoma City street crews are scheduled to work 12-hour shifts to meet the demands of ice accumulation on bridges and streets.

The City’s public information officers inform us that 28 trucks are working the city’s snow routes overnight with salt spreaders attached so that the city will not grind to a halt when business tries to resume on Thursday. Crews had already been treating those snow routes with beat juice over the last several days.

Snow-Route-Map-2024-25

Use the +/- buttons to zoom in or out. Point and right-click-hold to drag the map to reposition.

People are encouraged not to drive during adverse weather conditions, but if you have to, make sure to let a contact know that you are leaving and what your destination is. If you become stranded it will be better if they can come and get you from your car. You are strongly encouraged to stay in your car and not try to get out and walk as low temperatures can create a medical crisis quickly even for relatively healthy people.

Advice from Oklahoma City staff

• Stay on snow routes – Stay home if you can. If you must drive, stay on the City’s snow routes. Visit okc.gov/prepare to see the regional snow route map.
• Give plow/salt trucks space – Keep about 200 feet between your vehicle and salt/plow trucks.
• Accident tracker – Residents can view injury and noninjury accidents on OKC roads by logging on to the City’s accident tracker at okc.gov.

Neighborhood streets will not be treated and so be very cautious walking and driving on those streets.

Solid waste services

Trash and recycling collection for Thursday, Feb. 13, will take place as scheduled. Due to anticipated road conditions, crews will have a delayed start in the morning, which may result in trash and recycling carts being collected slightly later in the day than normal. Customers should still have their carts to the curb for collection by 6 a.m. Thursday.

There are no impacts to bulky waste/big junk collection. The remainder of bulky waste collection scheduled for this week will take place Thursday and Friday, and potentially Saturday if necessary.

Oklahoma City Municipal Court

Court has been canceled for Feb. 13. Oklahoma City Municipal Court will grant continuances or cancel court sessions if streets are slick and hazardous. Canceled court sessions will be posted on www.oklahomaclosings.com.

Also, defendants will be notified of their new court date. The public counter will be open for those wanting to pay their fines in person. Payments can also be made by calling (405) 297-3898 or logging on to okc.gov.

OKC Parks

OKC Parks recreation centers, community centers, performing arts centers, senior centers and gyms will be closed Thursday, Feb. 13. All outdoor parks will be open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Martin Park Nature Center and Will Rogers Gardens will keep their regular winter hours.

EMBARK

EMBARK will continue to implement the following detours and stop closures to ensure safer travel.

Service levels for Thursday, Feb. 13:

• OKC Fixed Route & RAPID NW: Level 2 Winter Weather Detours
• OKC Streetcar: Regular schedule

Our Winter Weather page will share information on the status of EMBARK’s senior transportation and mobility management programs. We will continue to monitor road conditions and resume regular service as soon as it is safe to do so. Call 405-235-RIDE for the latest updates before traveling.

Oklahoma Natural Gas

Oklahoma Natural Gas continues to monitor the weather, and its operations are functioning normally for its customers.

The accumulation of snow and ice increases the potential for damage to natural gas meters and above-ground pipeline facilities. Here are some tips to stay safe and warm:

• Keep exhaust and combustion air vents of natural gas appliances clear of snow and ice to maintain smooth operation and prevent carbon monoxide from entering homes and other structures.
• Extreme care should be taken when removing ice or snow from such vents or a natural gas meter. When possible, use a broom instead of a shovel to avoid damage, and never stand or climb on unsafe ground or surfaces to reach vents.
• If you smell natural gas or hear a hissing sound:
• Leave the area immediately.
• Do not use electrical equipment.
• Call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas at 800-458-4251.

Additionally, customers can follow the tips below to help reduce their natural gas use and lower their bills:

• Keep warm, not hot — when possible, wear additional layers of clothing and check your programmable settings.
• Hold off doing chores that involve using natural gas appliances until temperatures rebound.
• Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Apply weatherstripping and caulk to seal gaps and cracks around doors and windows.
• Change or clean the filters on heating or air conditioning units.
• Install foam gaskets to seal outlets and electrical switches.

OKC Zoo

The OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden is closed on Feb. 13.

OKC Police

OKC Police are not responding to non-injury accidents. If you are in a non-injury accident, exchange insurance information with the driver of the other vehicle.

People who are unhoused

When forecasted temperatures dip below 32 degrees, the Homeless Alliance, City Rescue Mission, Sisu Youth and Pivot provide overflow beds for those seeking to get out of the cold. These resources are in addition to regular capacity at overnight shelters. Details about shelters can be found at keytohomeokc.org. People working in outreach are warning people who are unhoused about the forecast.

OKC Will Rogers International Airport

During inclement weather, travelers should contact their airline to check on the status of their flight before leaving for the airport.

Animal Welfare

If it is too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. Dog owners must protect their dogs from the elements when the temperature dips below 32 degrees.

When left alone in freezing weather for more than 30 minutes, many dog breeds will become frostbitten and could even freeze to death. If a dog dies after being exposed to extreme weather, the dog’s owner can be charged with a felony.

A dog is considered outside if it has an unheated doghouse or other unheated structure. The structure should have a safe heat source. Vehicles are not considered adequate shelter.

• Towel dry your pet immediately after they come inside, paying attention to their paws and stomach.
• Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
• Dog houses without insulation are not enough to protect dogs from hypothermia. Freezing drinking water also poses a risk to pets.

Protecting Your Pipes

During these winter weather events, some customers choose to drip their faucets to prevent pipes from freezing. If you do, special care should be taken to prevent excessive water use and to protect our vital natural resource. Here are a few tips:

• Only drip faucets on walls along the exterior of the home.
• It does not take a heavy flow of water to effectively prevent pipes from freezing. Only a small, steady drip or stream no wider than a pencil lead is needed.
• Avoid dripping faucets when temperatures rise above 32 degrees.
• Open cabinets underneath sinks to allow warm air to circulate and keep pipes warmer.
• If your house has a basement or crawl space, wrap exposed water pipes with frost- or freeze-protection wrap to insulate them against freezing.
• If you notice your pipes are frozen, use your home’s shut-off valve to shut off water to your home and allow the pipes to thaw.

Outdoor Water Lines

Here are some recommendations to try and prevent outside pipe breaks:

If you have not done so, turn off your automatic sprinkler system so it does not turn on during the freezing weather.
Remove garden hoses and cover outdoor water spigots.
If you experience a water line break, shut the water off to limit the amount of excess water flow, and call Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833 for assistance.

Turn Off Sprinklers

Residents and business owners are asked to turn off sprinkler systems when the temperature drops below freezing. Water sprayed or running onto streets and sidewalks during freezing temperatures causes hazardous conditions for pedestrians and drivers.

The City also recommends inspecting your sprinklers and irrigation systems for leaks and to confirm the system has been turned off or adjusted to prevent icy streets and sidewalks.

Winter weather tips to help you prepare for storms:

• Keep necessities on-hand
• Items for winter storms to add to your disaster kit include extra non-perishable food and water for one or two weeks, extra blankets, coats, gloves, winter hats and water-resistant boots. Get extra medication, oxygen or other medical supplies.

Check on your neighbors

Check on elderly family members, friends and neighbors before, during and after storms. Don’t wait for them to ask for help.

Cell phones

Keep your cell phone charged in case of a power outage.

Safely use alternative heating sources

Fires at home are common in the winter because of improper use of dangerous heating sources. Here are some tips from the Fire Department:

• Make sure working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are properly installed in your home. Alarms should be installed inside each sleeping area, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Test your smoke alarms monthly and install fresh batteries twice per year when the time changes.
• Space heaters need space. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn (furniture, bedding, curtains, etc.) Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Keep all combustible materials away from floor furnaces.
• Remove any combustibles from central heater closets.
• Use a metal grate to hold logs inside fireplaces. Use an approved metal or glass screen in front of fireplaces to prevent embers from flying out of the firebox and into the home.
• Ensure the fire in the fireplace is completely extinguished before going to bed.
• Have fireplaces inspected and/or cleaned annually by a qualified chimney sweep specialist.
• Do not place hot fireplace ashes into dumpsters. Place ashes into a sealed metal container and store well away from the home for several days before final disposal.
• Remember to open the damper before lighting the fireplace.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Use portable generators outside and well away from the home. Position so that fumes and deadly carbon monoxide will not enter the home through doors, windows, or vents.

Dress for the conditions

Dressing in layers is key, as it not only keeps you warm but allows you to adjust to changing temperatures. Proper gloves, socks and footwear are essential. Choose headwear that keeps your head and ears warm. Ski masks can also help to warm your neck and warm the air you’re breathing.

Winter Driving

• If possible, avoid driving while streets are covered in ice and snow.
• Have your vehicle winterized by a qualified mechanic.
• Make sure your tires have adequate tread and pressure for the conditions.
• Reduce speeds.
• Fill up your gas tank.
• Allow more time to slow down and stop.
• Allow more space between you and the car in front of you.
• Be sure to use your headlights so your car is visible during inclement weather.
• Watch this video with winter driving tips.

Winter Weather Vehicle Emergency Preparedness Kit

• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• Jumper cables.
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• Compass and road maps.
• Shovel.
• Tire repair kit and pump.
• Flares.
• Extra clothing to keep dry and gloves.
• Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire traction).
• Tow rope.

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