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Governor Stitt Deploys National Guard as Historic Winter Storm Paralyzes Oklahoma

By James
Governor Stitt Deploys National Guard as Historic Winter Storm Paralyzes Oklahoma

Governor Stitt Deploys National Guard as Historic Winter Storm Paralyzes Oklahoma

Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency on Saturday as a massive winter storm slammed into Oklahoma, bringing life-threatening cold and heavy precipitation. Officials urged all residents to avoid travel, hazardous conditions have rendered major highways impassable across the region.

Comparisons to Historic 2011 Event Highlight Severity

State Climatologist Gary McManus likened this event to the record-setting blizzard of 2011, noting that wind chills have dropped to dangerous lows between 15 and 25 degrees below zero. This system has placed millions under weather alerts, the intensity of the cold poses a significant risk to public safety. Past struggles with grid reliability during the 2021 winter crisis have prompted a more aggressive government response this time, authorities are prioritizing early intervention to prevent widespread infrastructure failure.

Guard Teams Deploy to Rescue Drivers in Hardest Hit Areas

Northern and central Oklahoma received between 6 and 12 inches of snow by Saturday afternoon, creating whiteout conditions that shut down transportation networks. The Oklahoma National Guard dispatched specialized teams to strategic locations such as Woodward and Vinita, their mission focuses on reaching motorists stranded in deep drifts.

Southern parts of the state faced a different danger, ice accumulation reaching 0.25 inches coated roads in a dangerous glaze. Transportation officials restricted travel on I-35 and I-44 to emergency vehicles only, keeping civilians off these dangerous routes remains a top priority. Aviation impacts were immediate, Will Rogers World Airport canceled all flights through Sunday due to the extreme weather.

Power Grid Under Stress as Freezing Temperatures Persist

Regional utility providers are working to maintain service, reports confirm over 119,000 outages across the multi-state area. Repair crews face difficult challenges, the extreme cold delays their ability to safely restore electricity to affected homes. Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced strict monitoring of natural gas prices, this action aims to prevent the price gouging seen during previous winter disasters.

Road conditions are expected to remain treacherous for several days, temperatures will likely stay below freezing until late next week. Officials advise citizens to prepare for an extended period of isolation at home.

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