As we approach a significant weather event, Okmulgee County residents need to prepare for a challenging few days ahead.
The National Weather Service has upgraded the Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning for northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas effective Tuesday.
The area is expected to experience heavy snowfall with accumulations between 4-10 inches and ice accumulations up to 0.1 inches. These conditions will likely lead to considerable travel impacts, including blowing and drifting snow, which can severely reduce visibility and make driving hazardous.
-Key Preparations & Advisories
• Stock Essentials: Ensure you have sufficient food, water, and medical supplies. It’s advisable to have these preparations completed before the storm intensifies by Monday night.
• Protect Your Pets: Keep pets indoors and ensure their comfort and safety with adequate warmth and unfrozen water.
• Vehicle Preparation: If travel is unavoidable, equip your vehicle with an emergency kit containing items such as a snow shovel, flashlight, and blankets. Ensure your car’s gas tank is full to avoid ice in the tank and lines.
• Home Safety: Minimize outdoor activity. Prepare your home by insulating pipes and allowing a drip from faucets to prevent freezing. Secure any heating sources like fireplaces or portable heaters and check that they are functioning correctly to avoid hazards.
• Community Check-In: Look out for the elderly and those without adequate heating. Share information about local warming centers, which will be operational to assist those in need. These centers provide a crucial refuge from the freezing conditions.
• Stay Informed: Keep updated with the latest weather forecasts and local news. Pay close attention to any changes and follow guidance from local authorities to stay safe.
Ensure your household and neighbors are informed and prepared as we weather this storm together. Stay safe, Okmulgee County.
-Due to the expected winter precipitation and dangerously cold temperatures, The Muscogee Nation will be closed and operating virtually Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 18-19.
