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Results tagged “weather” from KRMG Local News

Storm Risk High This Afternoon

By
Don Bishop
@ September 2, 2010 5:20 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - It is shaping up to be a relatively severe late afternoon and early evening time period as a cold front moves in. News On 6 Meteorologist Travis Meyer says it's going to be cloudy with this hot and humid air that is in place here in Northeastern Oklahoma during the course of most of this afternoon.The combination of the heat and humidity and a fairly strong cold front for this early in the season is going to lead us to a hail and wind threat that is running at about eighty percent for storms and probably about twenty to thirty percent as far as severe storms. Unfortunately, hail and wind together are not a good combination and we expect that to be ending sometime late tonight around ten to eleven o'clock and then gradually clearing late tonight. (Photo courtesy News On 6)

 


Storms Damage Buildings in SW Oklahoma

By
Don Bishop
@ September 1, 2010 4:50 AM
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Authorities say several buildings, including a school, were damaged and electricity was knocked out to more than 8,000 homes and businesses as severe weather moved across Oklahoma.

There were no reports of injuries with the thunderstorms across the state Tuesday afternoon.

A storm that moved through Cyril in southwestern Oklahoma ripped part of the metal roof off the building that houses the middle school and the high school (shown, left; lightning at Lake Hudson). Superintendent Jamie Mitchell says classes were in session at the time, but no one was hurt.

Mitchell says at least a half-dozen classrooms and one of the offices sustained water damage. He says classes were canceled for Wednesday and may not resume this week.

Oklahoma Gas and Electric reported more than 8,250 outages at the height of the storms. (Photos courtesy News On 6) 

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Excessive Heat Warning in Effect

By
Don Bishop
@ August 20, 2010 5:44 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the Tulsa area. The warning is in effect until 7 p.m. tomorrow. The temperature is expected to rise today to near 100 degrees with a heat index of 105-110 degrees. Expect partly sunny skies and only a slight chance for thunderstorms after 4 p.m. There is a 50% chance for thunderstorms tonight before the temperature rises tomorrow to 98 degrees with hot and humid conditions. Sunday is forecast to be partly sunny, hot and humid with a high temperature of 96.  

Heat Takes a Dip as Cold Front Approaches

By
Steve Berg
@ August 13, 2010 6:21 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - It's been rough going the past week, but happy days are here again. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Lacy says we'll have temperatures in the low 90's and "hopefully by early next week, temperatures will be backing off into the 90's. So, at least a minor coolwave coming in for the early part of next week." Take these heat warnings seriously though, especially for the very young or very old. The State Medical Examiner's Office says it looks like there's been another heat death this week. That would be two this week and 8 for the season.


Okla Man May Be State's 5th Heat-related Death

By
Steve Berg
@ August 12, 2010 5:02 AM
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state Medical Examiner's office says a man may be the fifth heat-related death of the year.

Medical Examiner's spokeswoman Cherokee Ballard says an autopsy and toxicology tests are still being conducted on 27-year-old Gerardo Espinoza, but officials believe he died of hyperthermia, an overheating of the body.

Ballard says Espinoza had been mowing outside in south Oklahoma City Tuesday afternoon, when temperatures neared 100 degrees. He died at an Oklahoma City hospital.

Ballard says four other people, including a young girl from Meeker, have died from heat-related complications. She says several other cases are being examined to see if those deaths were heat-related.

Triple-digit heat has gripped Oklahoma for the past few weeks, but temperatures are expected to fall closer to seasonal averages over the weekend. (Photo courtesy News On 6) 


Ozone Alerts Down This Year

By
Don Bishop
@ August 11, 2010 2:29 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - The heat is on for now, but temperatures that are more close to normal may be coming our way this weekend along with some rain. Most Tulsans are finding that the current heat wave is pretty tough to bear. One woman said, "It's really hot. I have my job I have to walk back and forth pretty often, so it's pretty draining." Another woman said, "I'm very sick of it. Give me 80's, I'll be happy." What about ozone? Officials say the recent hot and windless days have failed to bring the usual ozone alerts and that could be due to people driving less and the summer blend of gasoline now on the market. (Photo courtesy News On 6) 

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Excessive Heat Warning Extended

By
Steve Berg
@ August 10, 2010 5:52 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - They said it would end Wednesday, but trying to hold Mother Nature to a deadline is often in vain. The Heat Warning has now been extended not just one, but two more days. National Weather Service meteorologist Bart Haake says, "It looks like our Excessive Heat Warning will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Friday and that includes Tulsa County and several counties surrounding the Tulsa area." He says we'll see heat indeces in the 105 to 115 degree range all week long. But there should be a cooldown just in time for the weekend.


Pump it Up--City Water System Handles Heat

By
Richard Dowdell
@ August 4, 2010 1:51 PM
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(Tulsa, Ok)--The Water Distribution Systems Manager for the city of Tulsa says it is a fact of life when dealing with a heatwave. Rick Caruthers says the heat always brings a round of water pipe and line breaks. However Caruthers says the Tulsa system is holding up well. There have been about a dozen breaks over the last several days. He anticipated many more, but cautions the heat is still with us. The dry hot weather leads to ground shifting and that is hard on the water lines. As far as the water supply goes, Tulsa is in good shape there too. Caruthers says on extreme hot days the system is pumping over 200 million gallons of water to thirsty Tulsans. The system is built to pump up to 240 million gallons of water a day.

Heat Warnings Issued for Parts of Oklahoma

By
Don Bishop
@ August 3, 2010 5:09 AM
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TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for five eastern Oklahoma counties as temperatures across the state are expected to reach triple digits.

Wagoner, Tulsa, Rogers, Sequoyah and Muskogee counties are covered under the warning, which is in effect until Thursday night. Much of the rest of eastern Oklahoma is under a heat advisory until Tuesday night.

Forecasters say an upper-level ridge of high pressure will remain parked over the region until at least midweek, and high temperatures are expected to peak in the lower 100s each day across Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, the hotspot in the state on Monday was Freedom, where the high was 109 degrees. It reached 108 in Alva and 107 degrees in Butler and Kingfisher.

High temperatures reached 103 in Oklahoma City and 105 in Tulsa on Monday.


Heatwave Relief Stations Open

By
Don Bishop
@ August 2, 2010 5:05 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - Air conditioners are working overtime to help compensate for the current heatwave. Tulsa has three cooling zones open if you have no place to get some relief from the blazing temperatures. There's the Salvation Army at 102 North Denver open 24/7, the Tulsa County Social Services cooling station at 2401 Charles Page Boulevard open 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. and the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center at 621 East 4th Street is open 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Tulsa Fire Captain Mike Ward says, "At least try to get under a fan. It's not going to cool the air, but it helps with the evaporation, helps you cool down." Ward says, besides the elderly, athletes are most vulnerable to the heat because they push themselves harder, sweat more and run low on fluids faster.


Increased Demand on the Weather Coalition

By
Richard Dowdell
@ July 26, 2010 6:00 AM
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(Tulsa,Ok)--The heat puts a strain on all of us. It is also felt by the Tulsa Weather Coalition. The Coalition's Jim Lyall says in a couple of weeks the air conditioners on their shelves, ready to help the poor and ill, will be gone. Pending the availability of more funds he expects the Coalition to purchase more cooling units. Lyall says during the two recent extended heatwaves the number of requests for air conditioners has greatly risen. The units are supplied and installed for free to people who face a life threatening situation unless a cool space can be set up in their home. These are people who would go without an air conditioner because they cannot afford one. Lyall points out the hot weather is far from over. The Weather Coalition normally continues its AC program into the middle of September.  

(Tulsa, OK) We have heard the warnings-- wear light colored loose fitting clothing- drink lots of water- stay in air-conditioned areas-- and despite the words of caution EMSA continues to treat people made ill by the heat. 

EMSA responded to five heat related emergencies on Sunday including an elderly couple.

EMSA says in a news release, the elderly couple was hopsitalized after turning off their air conditioning to try and save money by keeping the electric bill down.

Hear Extended Interview with EMSA Spokesman Chris Stevens

The release says the woman was transported to St. Francis hospital in emergency status and is in serious condition. The man is reportedly is in fair condition.

EMSA says one of the five emergency calls came from a 22-year-old woman who called 911 but refused to go to the hospital.


Still Hot

By
Richard Dowdell
@ July 16, 2010 2:45 PM
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(Tulsa, Ok)--Even with the excessive heat alert ebbing, it is still going to be hot over the next several days. EMSA continues to urge people to be aware of that and take precautions if they are going to be outside for extended periods. Since July 13th when the warning went into effect EMSA paramedics have responded to nine individuals with symptoms of heat related illness. The patients ranged from a 28 year old woman to a 49 year old male. All were treated by EMSA and none of the cases were deemed life threatening. EMSA's Chris Stevens says there was one common thread running through each. He says the patients admited to little or no water intake during the heat of the day even when working outside. Proper hydration is the first step in protecting yourself from the effects of excessive heat.

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Not Too Early to Sweat

By
Steve Berg
@ July 13, 2010 5:38 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - The word must have gotten out that it's going to be hot today because, even at 5:30 in the morning, it's a busy place at LaFortune Park. A lot of people are out for a jog this morning, although there was one lady in a group of runners who wasn't totally convinced that morning is the way to go. "This is my first morning to join them, so when I rolled over I said, 'this is madness,' so I'm just giving it a go, but I've already said it's already sticky out here," an unidentified jogger said. She agrees, it will likely be too hot to do any serious exercise this afternoon. But if you do, meteorologists say be careful. 


Heat advisory in effect today

By
Don Bishop
@ June 25, 2010 5:36 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the Tulsa area today after we spent several days with a heat warning in effect. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Plate says a heat advisory has to do with the overnight low temperature. "If the overnight temperatures will fall below 75 degrees, or the duration will be less than 48 hours, then it will be a heat advisory," he says.


Summer Arrives. So be Heat Aware

By
Richard Dowdell
@ June 21, 2010 6:30 AM
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(Tulsa, Ok)--Welcome to the hot season. Summer has officially started. The heat is nothing to take lightly. Jim Lyall with the Tulsa Weather Coalition says everyone needs to be aware that the summer sun can be a health threat. Lyall says the Coalition has already begun its annual program of placing air conditioner units in homes of the ill and infirm who cannot afford to get their own. Also the Coalition teams up with the National Weather Service and EMSA to track the number of consecutive dangerously hot days and the number of emergency runs. Those factors are used to determine if temporary "cooling stations" need to be opened up around the city.

Heat causes most weather-related deaths

By
Steve Berg
@ June 21, 2010 5:47 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - Hot weather kills more people each year than storms, so officials say take it seriously. They say don't over-exert yourself if your outside. Move to a cool area if you start feeling weak or dizzy. And Jason Whitlow with EMSA says drink lots of fluids. He says, "Stay away from the sodas and things like that. Just plain, old-fashioned water is the best." If you wait until you're thirsty to drink, you've waited too long. And if you stop sweating, that means you are dangerously dehydrated.


Heat advisory in effect through tomorrow evening

By
Richard Dowdell
@ June 21, 2010 3:27 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - It's going to be another sizzling day of sweltering heat. The National Weather Service issued issued a heat advisory to remain in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday. News On 6 Meteorologist Dick Faurot says extended periods of hot and humid weather are actually a greater health hazard than storms, as more fatalities are attributed to heat than any other weather related cause. Faurot says, "Probably up around the 105 mark at the very least so those are heat warning criteria." He says exposure to direct sunlight adds another 15 degrees on top of the actual air temperature.

(Photo courtesy KOTV)

Pothole Patrol and Patching Underway

By
Nicole Burgin
@ June 15, 2010 12:50 PM
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You avoided pools of water yesterday and today you need to avoid the water's aftermath-- potholes.  One day after the area was swamped with heavy rains and water covered roads, potholes are popping up everywhere.  Crews are out filling in those potholes.  David Meuser with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation says the top priority is area bridges. 
"When the crews are out patching potholes, they are looking not only at the potholes but to see if there may be some metal exposed where there maybe shouldn't be that might lead them to think there might be some issues that need to be looked at," says Meuser.
He says the patching will cause some lane closures but only for a short time as crews complete the work.
Meuser adds, "Of course they will repair the potholes on top of the bridge as soon as they can and that is really an area where the public can be helpful to us because the sooner we get a pothole repaired the less damage it can do."
Drivers can report potholes to ODOT's Tulsa division at 918-838-9933 or dial *55 on your cell phone for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol if it is an immediate road hazard.

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TULSA, Ok. - High water is visible on Bird Creek in north Tulsa County after heavy rainfall yesterday and early this morning. The roads are all in good shape. The water comes right up to the edge of the roadway, but there is nothing that is impassable. It could be a different story elsewhere, though. There are three main problem areas around Tulsa including Polecat Creek near Sapulpa, the Deep Fork River near Beggs and the Caney River near Collinsville all are under a flood warning for the next couple of days and all are expected to have minor to moderate flooding. Of the three, officials say the Caney River around Collinsville is likely to contain the most flooding. It is expected to crest around four feet above flood stage.


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Lt. Gov. Jari Askins has declared a state of emergency for 59 counties affected by heavy flooding and severe storms.

Askins issued the declaration Monday at the request of Gov. Brad Henry, who is out of state.

The disaster declaration is a formal step that allows local governments to be reimbursed for storm-related costs through a state public assistance program. It also paves the way for federal assistance.

Askins says additional counties could be added to the disaster declaration.


Tornadoes reported in Okla. Panhandle

By
Don Bishop
@ June 2, 2010 4:54 AM
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BOISE CITY, Okla. (AP) - Authorities say two tornadoes touched down in sparsely populated areas of the Oklahoma Panhandle, but no injuries or damage were reported.

According to the National Weather Service, one tornado was reported about 11 miles northwest of Keyes in Cimarron County Monday night. A sheriff's dispatcher says the storm moved through open country.

Another twister was reported just before 9 p.m. northwest of Eva in Texas County. Emergency Management Director Harold Tyson says the tornado was small and moved across an open field.

The storms capped an active month for tornadoes in Oklahoma.

Two people were killed, hundreds were injured and dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed when an estimated 34 tornadoes touched down during the week of May 10. On May 19, at least 12 tornadoes touched down.


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Authorities say two mobiles homes were destroyed and several homes and businesses were damaged but there were few injuries during a rash of tornadoes in Oklahoma.

In Kingfisher County, Emergency Management Director Steve Loftis says a semi-truck driver wasn't seriously hurt when his vehicle overturned about five miles north of Kingfisher on Wednesday afternoon. At least two tornadoes were reported in the county.

Rob Hill with the Stillwater Emergency Management office says two mobile homes and a barn were destroyed and several houses and businesses were damaged when tornadoes touched down briefly in the evening. Hill said there were no reports of injuries.

The weather service also said tornadoes damaged buildings and trees in Murray County, battered trees in Garvin County and damaged an outbuilding near Prague.

About 5,650 electric customers lost power.

 

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Holy Toledo! Lightning Strikes Tulsa Business

By
Nicole Burgin
@ May 19, 2010 1:52 PM
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There were several calls to the Tulsa Fire Department for lightning strikes with Wednesday morning's storms.  In South Tulsa, an oral surgery clinic took a direct hit from lightning and started a small fire.  Emily Morgan works at Ashton Creek Oral Surgery Suites at 91st and Toledo and says everyone heard a loud boom.

"Dr. (Christopher) Mastin was in with a patient and a little bit of dust came from the vent above him so he actually went down the hallway to see what was going on and that is when he noticed the back part of the roof was on fire," says Morgan.

The clinic was evacuated and everyone got out okay.  Morgan adds the fire was put out with minimal damage.  A few hours later, she says the employees and patients have a story to tell after everything turned out okay.

"The patient was on her way out and she said to me, I told you that hit close, so we just laughed.  It was pretty minimal damage and we were lucky everyone is just fine," says Morgan.

Morgan says they were lucky because the clinic specializes in oral surgery and did not have a patient in the middle of surgery.


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The National Weather Service says it appears at least 34 tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma last week, including a run of at least one twister for four straight days.

Preliminary reports indicate that 24 of those tornadoes came May 10, including two in central Oklahoma that had wind speeds of between 166 and 200 miles per hour. Two people died in Monday's outbreak.

Weather service meteorologist Doug Speheger says the 24-twister total was the fourth-highest single-day total in Oklahoma since official records began being kept in 1950. The 24-hour state record remains the 63 tornadoes that touched down between the afternoon of May 3, 1999, and 3 a.m. the next day.

There was one tornado in Oklahoma on Tuesday, two more on Wednesday and seven on Thursday.


Volunteers clear storm debris

By
Don Bishop
@ May 17, 2010 4:24 AM
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TULSA, Ok. - Members of a Tulsa church show up to help a resident get a large tree removed from his house after last week's storms. Volunteers from Guts Church brought their elbow grease yesterday to the scene near 51st and South Toledo. Church Pastor Bill Scheer said some of the volunteers were hesitant to call their efforts work. Scheer said, "You look around, there's nobody unhappy. They're looking for another job and they're looking for more to do and they're teaming up. You give fellows chainsaws, they're going to have a good time." City officials said storm debris can be deposited at the city's Green Waste Facility on 56th Street North.


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A severe thunderstorm that blew across the Oklahoma City metropolitan area has left broken windshields in its wake.

The windshields were shattered Sunday afternoon by hail reportedly up to the size of softballs.

It stalled traffic along Interstates 35 and 40. So much hail fell that enough ice accumulated on the ground to make it appear as if a snowstorm had hit the area.

Fire Chief Cecil Clay said his agency had responded to several traffic accidents. Clay said fire trucks were also sent to several sites where fires were reported, but the firefighters found only water vapor rising into the air from hail on the ground, appearing to be smoke.


Inola storms leave power poles down

By
Don Bishop
@ May 14, 2010 3:22 AM
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INOLA, Ok. - About 20 Inola homes remain without power after yesterday's storms. Windows were blown out of the New family's van and George New said their roof took the worst hit of all. "Every other house has a few shingles missing here and there. Our's is missing a roof," he said. The storm lifted the roof off and sucked the kitchen curtains outside, then the roof settled back into place, trapping the curtains under the roof. The same thing happened to the bedroom curtains and he said the roof could cave in at any moment.

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Strong storms leave damage in Okla.

By
Don Bishop
@ May 14, 2010 3:15 AM
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TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Authorities say a possible tornado, strong winds and large hail have left damage across parts of Oklahoma.

Tulsa City-County Emergency Management Director Michael McCool said a tornado may have barreled across the southern half of the city Thursday morning, damaging homes and businesses and knocking down trees, power poles and signs. He says one minor injury was reported.

The National Weather Service had a preliminary report of a tornado touching down northeast of Sapulpa in Creek County near Tulsa.

In northern Oklahoma, Garfield County Emergency Management Director Mike Honigsberg said golfball-size hail punched holes in the siding of several homes.

Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson says wind gusts of 60 to 80 miles per hour tore the roof off a Rush Springs apartment building and deposited it on a house a block away.


Storms rip through Tulsa as you were sleeping

By
Rick Couri, KRMG Sports director
@ May 13, 2010 5:58 AM
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Winds of up to 80 mph raced through the Tulsa area around 5 am on Thursday morning. Thousands are without power in many areas of Northeastern Oklahoma with as many as 8200 people in the Tulsa area and over 16,000 overall in the dark. Those numbers are climbing every minute.
Tune to KRMG all morning for the latest weather and damage reports.

  • Check the latest radar
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  • Check your power status at PSO website

  • TULSA, Ok. - Strong winds blowing through the city early this morning took the roofs off of structures, downed power lines and tree limbs and apparently caused Metro Christian Academy to cancel classes. Tornado sirens sounded, but apparently they were triggered by strong winds and perhaps by what are known as "gustnadoes." One structure at 61st and South Lewis appeared to have had its roof picked up and dropped back down. Police reported a private school at 4821 South 72nd East Avenue also had significant roof damage. Damage also was reported near 61st and South Peoria and near 51st and South Memorial. Tents were blown down at the Mayfest site in downtown Tulsa. There were no reports of any injuries.  

    Brewer's Bend clean-up underway

    By
    Steve Berg
    @ May 12, 2010 6:25 AM
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    BREWER'S BEND CAMPGROUND, Ok. - At the Brewers Bend campground, there will be some serious clean-up to do. A twister tossed around R-V's like toys and uprooted large trees everywhere. Keefeton Fire Chief Speck Plunkett thought for sure when he arrived on the scene that there would be fatalities. "Because of the fact that all of the trees that are down, being a trailer park, yeah, it was looking pretty serious with large trees on the ground," Plunkett said. An 82-year-old man and his wife were trapped inside their camper under debris after it rolled, but amazingly they survived.


    Truck driver, relative survive tornado

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ May 12, 2010 3:49 AM
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    I-40 east of OKC, Ok. - Some rare thoughts can cross your mind when you think you're about to die. "You're just thinking, Lord, just let me walk away," said Steve Waldrep, who along with his son-in-law Chris Shadow from Bristow (shown), had parked their big-rig hauling canned goods at the truck stop along Interstate 40 Monday when a life-changing event started to unfold in the form of a tornado. "Next thing I know, the mirror snapped," Chris Shadow said. "It took out the driver's side window," Waldrep said. "Antennas were gone off the truck," said Shadow. "Blew out the windshield," Waldrep said. "Sucked all of the paperwork out of the tractor trailer." Shadow said, "I was praying. A whole lot." The twister shook their 40-ton truck but they rode out the storm and were not injured. The truck stop was demolished.

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma authorities are lowering the death toll from this week's storms from five to two after learning three children who were reported to be killed had survived.

    Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten said Tuesday that the children were injured in Monday storms that killed their Cleveland County mother and a man in Oklahoma City.

    Ooten says officials were told the children initially were taken to one hospital, but were soon transferred. She says a miscommunication occurred when relatives called the first hospital to check on the children. State officials were later told they had died.

    Ooten says all three children remain in critical condition at an Oklahoma City-area hospital.


    SEMINOLE, Okla. (AP) - Authorities in Seminole say there has been significant damage in and around the town after a tornado moved through the area.

    Seminole Emergency Management Director Ernie Willis said Monday night there were homes destroyed north of the town and emergency responders were going through the area to determine if residents were hurt or trapped. Willis said at least two homes were leveled.

    Willis said he had no reports of injuries or deaths.

    He says the airport had seven hangars with extensive damage, and 10 aircraft were destroyed.

    Seminole is about 56 miles east of Oklahoma City.


    5 dead in Oklahoma tornado outbreak

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ May 11, 2010 3:28 AM
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    NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - Officials in Oklahoma say five people have been killed in an outbreak of violent weather that dropped tornadoes across parts of the Southern Plains.

    Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokesman Jerry Lojka said two people were killed in Oklahoma City and three were killed in Cleveland County to the south of the city.

    The agency did not have any additional details, including how the people died.

    Officials reported that at least 58 others suffered injuries throughout Oklahoma in the daylong onslaught. Two of the injuries were critical.


    High Risk of Severe Weather: Tornadoes & Hail

    By
    Nicole Burgin
    @ May 10, 2010 1:14 PM
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    The risk for a violent severe weather outbreak is expected to ramp up late this afternoon and evening across Eastern Oklahoma and eventually across Northwest Arkansas late this evening.  According to information from the National Weather Service, the airmass across the area will become increasingly unstable this afternoon and evening as a warm front that is near the Red River surges to the North as a strong upper level disturbance moves across Kansas.  Thunderstorms are expected to rapidly become severe.  Tornadic supercells are likely to develop.  The most likely time for a strong tornado to occur in Eastern Oklahoma is between 7pm and 10pm Monday evening with the greatest risk occuring along the I-44 corridor.  The NWS says along with tornadoes, we could see large hail up to the size of baseballs and damaging winds.

    JONES, Okla. (AP) - Authorities say a small earthquake has been registered near the Oklahoma City suburb of Jones.

    The epicenter of the earthquake, with a magnitude of 2.5, was three miles south of Jones. The tremor occurred at 8:11 p.m. Saturday.

    Seismologists say quakes of magnitude 2.5 to 3.0 are typically the smallest felt by humans.


    Severe weather outbreak possible today

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ May 10, 2010 4:16 AM
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    TULSA, Ok. - Storms are on the horizon for northern and northeast Oklahoma this afternoon through early tomorrow morning. Bart Haake with the National Weather Service says the best chance for a tornado would be along and northwest of the I-44 corridor. He says, as the system moves across the area tonight, it probably would evolve into a squall line that would move across the rest of eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas overnight. Haake says the storms could start west of Tulsa in Osage and Pawnee Counties in the late afternoon and in the Tulsa area starting around 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. and thereafter. Haake says the Storms Prediction Center has Tulsa in the high-risk category today.


    Drivers Warned About Flooded Roads

    By
    Richard Dowdell
    @ May 3, 2010 7:00 AM
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    (Tulsa, Ok)--May is Flood Awareness Month in Oklahoma. This is when Oklahoma has its most severe flooding. Approximately half of flood related fatalities are vehicle related. As little as six inches of water can cause drivers to loose control of their vehicles and two feet of water can sweep most vehicles off the road. Since 1999, at least twelve people have needlessly drowned in Oklahoma while attempting to cross flooded roadways. To raise public awareness and to save lives, the National Weather Service in conjunction with the Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Associaltion is providing signs that read "WHEN FLOODED TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN". These signs will be placed at hazardous low water crossings and frequently flooded roadways throughout the state of Oklahoma. It is a massive task. It is estimated there are over 1500 roadways around Oklahoma that qualify.

    Near-miss for tree, SUV

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ April 29, 2010 5:58 AM
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    TULSA, Ok. - A sport utility vehicle owner counts his or her lucky stars this morning after winds blew down a giant tree, just missing the vehicle. The News On 6's Gary Kruse inspected the scene near 1300 South Frisco about 3 a.m. today. Kruse says, "When they come out this morning, they're gonna see what's left of a 40 or 50-foot tree completely across Frisco, only about 4 feet behind their SUV, with the words 'life is good' on the back of their tire cover." Kruse says the tree apparently had been weakened by previous storms and last night strong winds finally brought it down. A crew was called to saw the tree into pieces and remove it from the street.


    Okla. to get more disaster aid

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ March 23, 2010 6:03 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - More Oklahoma counties are getting federal aid to recover costs from the Christmas Eve blizzard and an ice storm on Jan. 28.

    Gov. Brad Henry said Monday the disaster assistance will help local governments repair roads, bridges and public facilities and remove debris. Preliminary damage estimates exceed $100 million from the two winter storms.

    Counties receiving aid for the December storm are: Alfalfa, Beckham, Bryan, Caddo, Carter, Cherokee, Creek, Dewey, Greer, Harmon, Haskell, Kiowa, LeFlore, Logan, Mayes, McCurtain, McIntosh, Osage, Pawnee, Pittsburg, Roger Mills, Seminole, Wagoner, Washington and Washita. Twenty-nine other counties already were approved.

    Counties getting help for the January storm are: Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Canadian, Cherokee, Craig, Creek, Custer, Garvin, Grant, Lincoln, Logan, Major, Mayes, Murray, Nowata, Okfuskee, Ottawa, Pawnee, Rogers, Sequoyah, Texas, Wagoner and Washington. Twenty-five counties previously were approved for assistance.


    No Firm Spring Storm Prediction

    By
    Richard Dowdell
    @ March 10, 2010 12:40 PM
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    (Tulsa, Ok)--He cannot tell when, where, or how much of a chance but a research meteorologist at the National Severe Storms Lab in Norman says it is best to be alert and prepared for strong and dangerous Spring storms in Oklahoma. Doctor Harold Brooks says all the high tech weather instruments and data cannot predict what will happen in the Spring. Brooks says they do not have good long term predictors about storms that could develop one, two, or three months out. He agrees the jet stream could bring more wet weather to Oklahoma, but there is no way of knowing when and if that stream will cross over and impact the state at any specific time. He does expect strong storms during the course of the Spring because it always happens. Brooks says it is best for all of us to be on alert and prepared because those storms can pop up quickly anywhere in Oklahoma.

    Tornado touches down in Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ March 9, 2010 4:53 AM
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    HAMMON, Okla. (AP) - Authorities say at least five homes have been destroyed and other structures damaged by a tornado in western Oklahoma.

    Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten says there were no reports of any injuries with the storm, which was first spotted about 5:15 p.m. Monday.

    Ooten says the county barn on the south side of Hammon was destroyed, and the roofs of several houses were blown off. She also says power lines were down in the area.

    The storm touched down near Elk City, about 110 miles west of Oklahoma City, then traveled across open countryside before reaching Hammon.

    Allene Bottom lives on a farm near Hammon and watched the storm as it approached. Bottom says law enforcement officers were stopping people from coming into the town.


    Okla. governor asks for aid related to ice storm

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ February 22, 2010 5:11 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Twenty-five Oklahoma counties would receive aid if Gov. Brad Henry's request for disaster declarations is given the go-ahead.

    The counties were ones hit by a Jan. 28 ice storm that brought down trees and power lines statewide. Southwestern Oklahoma was hardest hit and saw power outages for more than a week.

    Damage is estimated at more than $26 million in the 25 counties - in addition to $43 million in damage to rural electric cooperatives.

    The counties in the request include Alfalfa, Caddo, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Delaware, Dewey, Ellis, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Haskell and Hughes.

    Also in the request are Jackson, Kiowa, LeFlore, McClain, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Seminole, Stephens and Washita counties.


    Winter storm with more snow moves into Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ February 12, 2010 5:01 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A winter storm has dumped nearly 10 inches of snow on parts of southern Oklahoma.

    According to the National Weather Service, preliminary snowfall amounts from Thursday's storm ranged from a trace in central Oklahoma to 9.2 inches around Madill in Marshall County. Other amounts included 3.5 inches in Ada, 5 inches in Durant, 6.5 inches in Carter County and 7 inches in Love County.

    Madill firefighter Mike Idleman says only one vehicle accident was reported in the area, but there were no serious injuries. Idleman says he didn't know of any power outages related to the snow.

    Meanwhile, at least 944 homes and businesses in southwestern Oklahoma were still without power following a Jan. 28 winter storm.


    Area weather spills nil early Tuesday

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ February 9, 2010 5:54 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    TULSA, Ok. - AM 740 and FM 102.3 News/Talk KRMG's Steve Berg reports we did a quick survey of all the surrounding towns and they're reporting all was quiet on the roads overnight. Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, and Owasso all say they had no wrecks or slip-and-falls related to the weather. Here in Tulsa, there was one report early-on about a slick spot near 71st Street and Highway 169, but they didn't think it was a problem anymore. Also, EMSA dispatchers reported there was one slip-and-fall with a child on a porch, but that was before midnight and they say there's been nothing since then. So keep your eyes open when you head out this morning, but it sounds like there shouldn't be much problem.

    Tags:


    Less than 5,000 customers still without power

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ February 9, 2010 4:58 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management says about 4,700 homes and businesses remain without electric power from last week's winter storm.

    The agency says of the 4,729 power outages, 4,696 are in Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives service areas. The other 33 are customers of Public Service Company of Oklahoma.

    About 179,000 outages were reported at the height of the storm, which pummeled southern Oklahoma with freezing rain and dumped heavy snow on central and northern sections of the state over two days.

    Officials say at least seven people died as a result of the storm.


    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Utilities are still working to restore power following a winter storm that brought ice, sleet and snow to Oklahoma last week.

    Nearly 71,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity Tuesday.

    The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported that the majority of the power outages were in the southern part of the state. Utility officials have said it could be next week before service is restored.

    Emergency management officials say the majority of outages, about 34,000, continue to be in the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives service areas. Other extensive outage areas are more than 20,000 Public Service Company of Oklahoma customers, more than 8,400 of which are in Lawton.

    Altus' 9,300 customers make up the majority of the nearly 15,000 homes and businesses without power in the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority service area.


    TULSA, Ok. - Over twenty trucks from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation were out overnight in Tulsa County spreading material on ice-glazed roadways. Even though motorists are advised to stay back and away from those trucks, ODOT's Martin Stewart says it doesn't always happen that way. Stewart says, "A couple of teenagers failed to yield at a stop sign, pulled out in front of one of my trucks, contact was made. One was transported but I've heard that is not injured." Stewart says if you don't have to be out just stay at home.


    TULSA, Ok. - Public Service Company of Oklahoma crews have whittled the number of power outages in the Tulsa area down to just a few customers this morning. PSO's Stan Whiteford says that's not the case elsewhere in Oklahoma. He says, "In the Tulsa region and the Tulsa metro area, things are in pretty decent shape here. It's a little different story out in western Oklahoma where we have over 50,000 outages out there." Whiteford says the only area around Tulsa with a large number of customers still without electricity is in the Grove area. Whiteford says 3,600 customers there should have their service back this morning.


    A potent winter storm that blanketed parts of the state with snow and ice is forecast to exit Oklahoma and the southern Plains on Friday.

    The National Weather Service said snow may fall on the back side of the system as it tracks eastward, but the precipitation should end from west to east.

    On Thursday, a mixture of snow, sleet, rain and freezing rain fell, coating surfaces with ice. Temperatures ranged from 26 degrees in Guymon to 40 degrees in McAlester. The mercury peaked at 33 degrees in Altus, Bartlesville and Tulsa and hit 34 degrees in Oklahoma City.

    Temperatures on Friday should range from the 20s in most spots to near 40 in southeast Oklahoma. Forecasters expect temperatures to tumble into the teens and 20s Friday night.


    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A winter storm has dumped snow, sleet and freezing rain on Oklahoma and the southern Plains, leading to thousands of power outages, canceled flights at the state's largest airports and the closure of major highways.

    Ice accumulations estimated by the National Weather Service at between one-quarter to 11/2 inches brought down electrical lines and trees limbs Thursday, knocking out lights and heat to more than 132,000 Oklahoma homes and businesses.

    Parts of southern Oklahoma, where freezing rain fell for several hours, appeared to be hardest hit.

    Altus Emergency management director Lloyd Colston says the entire city was without power, except the hospital and other emergency operations that had generators.

    Colston says streets are slick and a shelter has been set up for residents.


    Winter storm headed for Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ January 28, 2010 5:24 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    A potent winter storm is expected to track across Oklahoma.

    The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and watches for Thursday and Friday.

    Up to 10 inches of snow is likely in western and northern Oklahoma. Freezing rain and snow is possible in southwestern and central sections, while accumulating ice is possible in southern Oklahoma.

    On Wednesday, skies were partly cloudy and temperatures ranged from 56 degrees in Muskogee to 68 degrees in Altus, Frederick and Lawton.

    The high was 61 in Bartlesville, Enid and Tulsa and 65 was the high in Guthrie, Hobart and Oklahoma City.

    Highs ranging from the 20s in the northwest to 40s in the southeast are expected Thursday. Lows should range from the teens in the Oklahoma Panhandle to 30s in southeast Oklahoma.


    Henry declares winter storm emergency

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ January 28, 2010 5:17 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has declared a statewide emergency as a dangerous winter storm pushes into Oklahoma.

    Henry declared the emergency Wednesday for all 77 Oklahoma counties as state officials continued their emergency response preparations.

    Henry says emergency management authorities believe it was important to issue the declaration before the storm arrived. The storm was forecast to cross the state Wednesday night and Thursday.

    A companion order the governor signed permits weight and size limits on state roadways to be waived to allow heavy power company vehicles to position themselves across the state. The governor says the storm could include an ice storm and widespread power outages.

    The emergency declaration provides a formal mechanism for local governments to seek reimbursement for recovery costs through the state's disaster public assistance program.


    OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. - Wednesday may be the last mild day across Oklahoma for a while.

    The National Weather Service says temperatures should be above average before a storm system arrives. A winter storm watch has been issued for Thursday and Friday, when Oklahoma could get a mixture of rain, freezing rain, sleet and heavy snow.

    On Tuesday, skies were clear and temperatures ranged from 45 degrees in Ponca City to 55 degrees in Lawton. The high temperature in Stillwater and Tulsa was 48, and the mercury peaked at 49 degrees in Guthrie and Oklahoma City.

    Rain chances will be slight initially, then a mixture of rain, snow and sleet is possible for northwest Oklahoma on Wednesday.

    Highs in the 50s and lows ranging from 20s in the Oklahoma Panhandle to 40s in the southeast are expected.


    TULSA, Ok. - AM 740 and FM 102.3 News/Talk KRMG's Steve Berg reports the Public Works Department is already 50-percent over budget on overtime for snowplow drivers and 100-percent over budget for materials like salt and sand. And they're really dreading the possibility of an ice storm. Dan Crossland says that requires a lot more salt than a snow storm does. Crossland says, "If we get an ice storm, it takes a lot more salt to deal with that. It's not a situation, generally, where we can plow it." They've got 8,000 tons of salt on hand, but he says that will go very quickly if we get even a moderate ice storm.


    TULSA, Ok. - Tulsa Police describe driving conditions as dangerous this morning. Tulsa Police Corporal Dan Miller says you'll be driving on a coating of ice if you hit the roads today. Miller says, "We've already had approximately 10 accidents just up and down Highway 169. If there is no reason for you to be out today, stay home." He says to drive extremely slow and stay off the elevated roads. Miller says to allow plenty of time and keep a good distance between you and the car in front of you.


    Weather causes power outages, school closings

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ January 7, 2010 4:12 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Thousands of homes and businesses lost power and Oklahoma's two largest school districts canceled classes for the rest of the week as a winter storm brought freezing precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures to the region.

    Oklahoma Gas and Electric reported nearly 20,300 customers without power late Wednesday after freezing drizzle fell across much of central Oklahoma. There were no reports of accidents or injuries.

    Earlier in the day, Oklahoma City school Superintendent Karl Springer and Tulsa Superintendent Keith Ballard announced they had canceled classes for Thursday and Friday because of concern for students who must wait outside for buses or who walk to school.

    The frozen precipitation was expected to end Thursday, but temperatures aren't expected to climb out of the teens and 20s during the day and will plummet into the single digits and below at night.


    Dangerous Cold Shuts Down TPS Thursday and Friday

    By
    Richard Dowdell
    @ January 6, 2010 3:38 PM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)
    (Tulsa, Ok)--Sub-freezing temperatures force Tulsa Public Schools administrators to close schools for the remainder of the week.

    "This was not an easy decision to make," said TPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard. "But we are very concerned about the safety of our students who walk to school or who wait outside for buses."

    More than 14,000 TPS students ride school buses each day. About 25,000 students either walk or ride in personal vehicles to school. Ballard said the fact that many students walk up to two miles to school each day played a major role in making the decision to close schools.

    "Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students," Ballard said. "We've had a number of principals express concerns that their children don't have adequate outerwear for such extreme temperatures."

    TPS administrators conferred with Jeffrey Goodloe, MD, Medical Director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority before making the decision to close schools. EMSA is the largest provider of pre-hospital emergency medical care in the state and Goodloe is an expert in emergency and disaster medicine.

    "Shutting down a school system as big as Tulsa is a significant event," said Goodloe. "I'm glad I don't have to make that decision; but from a medical concern standpoint, these types of temperatures are a significant medical risk."

    Goodloe said children lose body heat quickly if they are exposed to sub-freezing temperatures. Such rapid heat loss can lead to hypothermia or frostbite. According to the Centers for Disease Control, hypothermia (or low body temperature) occurs when a person's body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Too low of a body temperature affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. Hypothermia is especially dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won't be able to do anything about it.

    The CDC defines frostbite as injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas (most commonly the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes). Frostbite can cause permanent damage to body parts and, in some cases, the need for amputation.

    Ballard said the choice of whether to close schools for inclement weather is more obvious when snow and ice on the roads make it difficult for buses to run their routes.

    "In reality, [this weather event] is probably more dangerous than a typical snow day," said Goodloe. "Just because there may not be significant precipitation doesn't minimize the dangers of sub-freezing weather."

    "In this case, we really had to weigh a different kind of risk," said Ballard, "and we determined our students would be safest indoors. We can always make up the learning time."


    Holiday snow storm cost state millions

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ January 6, 2010 3:32 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State transportation agencies have spent millions of dollars clearing Oklahoma's roads and turnpikes following the Christmas Eve snow storm.

    Officials at the Department of Transportation estimated Tuesday the agency spent about $4 million between Dec. 23, the day before the storm struck, and Dec. 28. The agency cleared interstate highways as well as other major roads in the state.

    Nearly 1,000 ODOT employees worked throughout the holiday weekend to clear roadways following the storm. Officials say they spread 50,000 tons of salt and sand and 22 tons of magnesium chloride, which prevents icing.

    The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority spent $929,139 clearing snow from Oklahoma turnpikes between Dec. 23 and Dec. 29. Four turnpikes were closed during the snow storm, but all were reopened by Christmas morning.


    Plumbers already busy with frozen pipes

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ January 5, 2010 5:35 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    TULSA, Ok. - AM 740 and FM 102.3 News/Talk KRMG's Steve Berg reports Tulsa resident Jane McCullough says it's never happened before, but after a three-day trip out of town, she and the family returned home to find the pipes were frozen solid. She says, "Lived here 12 years, never had a problem. But we didn't anticipate the cold weather." And that is with temperatures in the teens. Now imagine what it will be like if we hit zero, or sub-zero temperatures. You've probably heard to leave faucets dripping. Plumbers say if you're at home, leave them running with the smallest stream possible.

    Tags:


    TULSA, Ok. - AM 740 and FM 102.3 News/Talk KRMG's Steve Berg reports there were cars stranded by the hundreds across Tulsa streets and obviously there are only so many tow trucks to go around. Bob Harrison put in a call to one of the towing companies, but has he heard from them. Harrison says, laughing, "No, I think the tow trucks will be awhile. You better use your own ingenuity." That meant a friend with a pickup truck and they did get it pulled free from a ditch. Some people might have gone back to the spot where their car was stuck to find it gone. The city towed some that were a safety hazard, and you'll have to check with them to find out where they took it.

    Tags:


    TULSA, Ok. - AM 740 and FM 102.3 News/Talk KRMG's Steve Berg reports we know people are eager to get outside after maybe being cooped up for the past couple of days, but it is treacherous out there apparently. EMSA says it has responded to more than 200 weather-related calls, many of them slip and falls. Tulsa resident Jerry Bunch says the snow has melted, but that has revealed a danger beneath. Bunch says, "There's a real slick sheet of ice underneath the snow. So, once you get the snow off, there's still ice down there." He rushed over to help an elderly neighbor who fell. Bunch says he nearly became a statistic himself.

    Tags:


    PAWNEE, Ok. - Drivers taking Highway 412 from the west toward Tulsa can expect delay this morning. Dipatcher Crystal Hankins works at the Oklahoma Highway Patrol office in Pawnee. Hankins says, "We've had slick bridges and overpasses and there's a semi (tractor-trailer) accident on the Keystone bridge on Highway 412 going from the Cimarron Turnpike into Tulsa." Hankins says the crash that happened about 3:30 a.m. is still in the cleanup phase. Driving in the Guymon area of northwest Oklahoma is slick and hazardous this morning as well. Carly Whittler dispatches Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers in that part of the state. Whittler says, "On U.S. 287, a trooper says in Cimarron in that area it's going to be slick in spots with light snow accumulation. Also, in Harper County and Woodward County on U.S. 270, it's going to be very hazardous due to snow accumulaton and black ice." Whittler says she's had no reports of any accidents but she says it's a different story over toward Oklahoma City. She says several accidents have been reported in that area during the night.

      


    TULSA, Ok. - Light, freezing drizzle started to become a factor for drivers around 11: 30 p.m. Monday. A woman driving west on State Highway 412 reported that she lost control of her car as she started to cross the Shell Creek Bridge. Her car hit the bridge railing and then came to rest against the cable barriers that separate the eastbound and westbound lanes. No other vehicles were involed in that crash and no one was hurt. A short time later, there was a series of crashes on I-244 eastbound near Peoria that caused the entire Inner Dispersal Loop to be closed for several hours. State Troopers say there were four or five cars that hit each other but there were no serious injuries. It took almost an hour before Oklahoma Department of Transportation vehicles could get the roadway sanded so they could use wreckers to remove the vehicles and eventually open up eastbound I-244. Shortly after that crash, there was a similar accident on State Highway 11 westbound near Harvard. Four or five vehicles became involved in collisions that caused the Tulsa Police Department to close the highway until sand trucks could treat a bridge and open the roadway again. A similar accident was reported later on the Arkansas River bridge after a driver on the bridge lost control and smacked the railing and then came to rest. No other vehicles were involved. Then, a City of Tulsa utility crew going back to the shop lost control and jackknifed while pulling a trailer on the 21st Street bridge just west of the river. That caused Tulsa Police to close the bridge for over an hour until a sand truck could treat the roadway and a wrecker could be used to remove the vehicle. A similar event happened on the 71st Street bridge. Before that could be cleared, there was another accident because of the ice conditions.     

    Tags:


    Magnitude 3.5 earthquake in central Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ December 8, 2009 2:12 AM
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    JONES, Okla. (AP) - The U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude 3.5 earthquake was recorded near Jones in central Oklahoma.

    The earthquake struck about 11:45 a.m. Monday and was centered about two miles southeast of Jones - about 16 miles east of Oklahoma City.

    There were no reports of damage or injuries, but residents in Midwest City and Spencer reported feeling the quake.

    Quakes of magnitude 2.5 to 3 are generally the smallest felt by people. A magnitude 4 quake can cause moderate damage.


    UNDATED (AP) - Rain, snow and winter-like temperatures are in Oklahoma's forecast for the upcoming work week.

    The National Weather Service says there could be enough cold air late Monday night and early Tuesday for very light freezing rain across the northern half of Oklahoma before precipitation turns to rain.

    Snow is possible in northern Oklahoma, and a wintry mix is likely in the central part of the state.


    Up to 4 inches of snow possible in Panhandle

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ November 16, 2009 4:59 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The National Weather Service says there's a possibility for up to 4 inches of snow as a winter storm moves in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

    Forecasters issued a winter weather advisory through 6 a.m. Monday for the Panhandle. Snowfall accumulations through Monday morning were expected to range from 1 to 2 inches across the central and eastern Panhandle, with 2 to 4 inches possible across the western Panhandle.


    Rain, wind hit Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ October 30, 2009 4:12 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Heavy rain and wind pounded parts of Oklahoma, leaving minor damage and flooding in parts of the state.

    The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Emergency Medical Services Authority reported at least 25 injury and non-injury accidents on Thursday, mainly in central Oklahoma. None were fatal.

    Tornado warnings were issued for Hughes and Pushmataha counties, but there was no immediate confirmation that anything touched down.

    According to the National Weather Service, winds of an unknown speed damaged a metal barn and snapped several power poles near Weleetka in Okfuskee County. The weather service says a 71-mph wind gust was reported in Payne County near Stillwater, and a gust downed a tree near Loco in Stephens County.

    Flash flood warnings were issued for eight counties in eastern Oklahoma, including the Tulsa area.


    Desire to Keep Warm Raises Safety Concerns

    By
    Richard Dowdell
    @ October 14, 2009 2:12 PM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)
    (Tulsa, Ok)--The cool sweeps in earlier this Fall. It prompts Bill French with the Tulsa Fire Department to caution you about switching on heaters or building a crackling fire in the fire place.  He urges people to clean them out and have a pro do a safety check. French points out the number of home fires peak this time of year and too many of those are deadly.

    Storms pound Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ October 9, 2009 5:38 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Strong thunderstorms and heavy rain have caused numerous traffic accidents and raised concerns for possible flooding in northeastern Oklahoma.

    Authorities say several accidents, including one involving an ambulance, occurred along Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City and Edmond on Thursday.

    Officials say at least six people who were riding in a sport utility vehicle were transported to the hospital.

    Much of central and eastern Oklahoma were under a flood watch and a tornado watch was in effect until early Friday for southeastern Oklahoma.

    Emergency managers in northeastern Oklahoma reported water inundating some roads already.

    Interim emergency manager Glenda Longan says five roads in Miami were closed, including Oklahoma 125 and U.S. 69A.


    Government approves disaster designation

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ September 3, 2009 1:45 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved all 77 Oklahoma counties for a federal disaster designation due to extreme weather conditions during the past year.

    Gov. Brad Henry said Wednesday farmers and ranchers in the state are eligible for low-interest Farm Service Agency loans to cover losses caused by extreme weather between September 2008 and June of this year.

    Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved 74 counties for a primary natural disaster designation. Ranchers and farmers in the remaining three counties - Adair, Cherokee and Pushmataha - are also eligible for FSA loans because those counties are contiguous to the primary disaster area.

    Henry says the agriculture and ranching industries have been hit hard by drought combined with floods, hail, fire, high winds and freezing temperatures.


    Minor earthquake shakes central Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ August 28, 2009 3:21 AM
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    ADA, Okla. (AP) - A minor 3.4 magnitude earthquake rattled an area in central Oklahoma, one of several small quakes reported in the state.

    Amy Vaughan, a geophysicist at the National Earthquake Information Center, says the quake hit early Thursday at 3:22 a.m. CDT in an area near Ada and 63 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.

    A Pontotoc County dispatcher says there were no immediate reports of damage.

    Quakes of magnitude 2.5 to 3 are generally the smallest felt by people.

    Also Thursday, five earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 2.7 occurred in the Jones area.


    Storms leave scattered damage

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ August 21, 2009 3:33 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Authorities say strong winds damaged mobile homes and felled trees as severe weather moved through northern Oklahoma.

    There were no reports of injuries with the thunderstorms, which began tracking across the state late Wednesday and continued into Thursday.

    Payne County emergency management officials reported significant damage to two mobile homes near Tryon as a storm blew threw before 1 a.m. Thursday. According to the National Weather Service, the speed of the winds weren't known.

    Other reports included guttering ripped off a home in Stilwell and trees being uprooted, knocked down or damaged in Rogers, Sequoyah and Okmulgee counties.

    The weather service says the strongest winds - a 70 mile-per-hour gust at Quapaw and a 65 mile-per-hour gust in Commerce - were reported in Ottawa County.


    More wet weather forecast for Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ August 18, 2009 1:34 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    UNDATED (AP) - The chance for showers and thunderstorms will continue for the rest of the week across Oklahoma.

    The weather service issued a flood warning early Monday for parts of north-central and northwest Garfield County after a powerful thunderstorm brought high winds and heavy rain overnight. The warning expired about 11:30 a.m., but several roads in the area were closed after some locations received as much 6 inches of rain.

    Meanwhile, the chance for rain and thunderstorms will continue through Friday across much of the state. Daytime highs are expected to be in the mid 80s to mid 90s, with overnight lows mostly in the 60s to upper 70s.


    ENID, Ok.- Heavy rain brought high water to Enid, Oklahoma, in Garfield County yesterday. News 9 Oklahoma City's Doug Warner reports rainfall from yesterday is causing trouble for residents in the north-central Oklahoma town. He says, "There's a trailer completely demolished. It's a box trailer (with) Chisholm Stampede Band on it so their transportation there, as far as their equipment goes, that trailer is completely mashed." Warner reports there are lots of trees down and high water in the area. He says the Enid High School football field is under water this morning. Warner says a power outage from the storms will cause classes to be cancelled in Kremlin, Oklahoma, in Garfield County today. There were no injuries reported from the storms.


    Severe storms do damage

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ August 11, 2009 3:15 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Severe thunderstorms have caused damage and knocked out electric power in parts of Oklahoma.

    There were no reports of injuries with the storms, which packed winds of more than 70 miles per hour as they tracked through northern sections of the state Monday afternoon. Gusts of more than 70 miles per hour were reported near Freedom, Cherokee and Enid.

    Authorities say strong, straight-line winds tore off part of the roof of a house in Okay and threw it 50 feet. Officials also reported roof damage to a home near Buffalo; a billboard and pole that were blown down near Stillwater; and power pole damage from a tree in Bristow.

    The storms also dumped more than two inches of rain in Inola, Okmulgee and Pryor.


    Extreme heat returns to Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ August 7, 2009 4:49 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Weather forecasters expect intense heat to return to Oklahoma after Thursday's brief reprieve thanks to a storm system.

    Before thunderstorms rolled across northern, central and southern sections of the state late Wednesday into Thursday, daytime highs reached or passed 100 degrees in many areas, including a 106-degree reading in Lawton on Wednesday.

    An excessive heat warning for the Tulsa area and a heat advisory for 14 counties in eastern Oklahoma remained in effect through Friday, when possible triple-digit temperatures and higher humidity could lead to heat-related illnesses.

    There have been no deaths officially attributed to the extreme heat, but the Emergency Medical Services Authority has reported receiving just under 300 heat-related calls.


    Oklahoma to be warmer, dry

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ August 3, 2009 3:18 AM
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    UNDATED (AP) - Rain chances will be slim during the upcoming work week, when forecasters say conditions will be hot and dry.

    The National Weather Service says an upper high pressure system anchored over northern New Mexico will bring hotter weather. But a weak northwest air flow will lend itself to bringing one or two cold fronts close to northern Oklahoma.

    A front will most likely move into the state late Wednesday or Thursday when an upper level trough passes through the upper Midwest. A slight chance for rain is forecast in northern and central Oklahoma on Thursday.

    Seasonably hot and humid air is expected through the week.


    Storm leaves damage in Stillwater

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ July 29, 2009 2:44 AM
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    STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - At least one home was heavily damaged and about 5,000 homes and businesses lost electricity when a powerful thunderstorm rolled through Stillwater and northern Oklahoma.

    Authorities say there were no reports of injuries, but dozens of utility poles in the area were snapped or blown over by straight-line winds Tuesday night.

    The National Weather Service reported a wind gust of 70 miles-per-hour near Stillwater.

    Emergency Management technician Rob Hill says significant damage was done to a house when a tree fell on top of it, but no one inside was hurt.

    He says about 2,500 customers of Stillwater's municipal electric service lost electricity during the storm.

    Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. reported about 2,500 in north-central Oklahoma at one point.


    Storms cause power outages

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ July 17, 2009 4:18 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Strong thunderstorms that swept through Oklahoma have knocked out power to more than 29,500 Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. customers.

    Most of the outages were in the Oklahoma City metro area. OG&E reports that 28,900 customers were without power in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Del city and Midwest City.

    Other areas experiencing power outages include Hallett, Heavener, Howe and Madill.

    The storms are the result of a cold front that entered the state on Wednesday and is pushing south through the state. the storms were accompanied by heavy rain, hail strong winds and frequent lightning.

    Forecasters say more storms are likely overnight and Friday as the impact of an upper high pressure ridge shifts west. Storm chances may increase again Monday and Tuesday as the western ridge flattens.


    Heat-related sickness increases

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ July 14, 2009 2:51 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Emergency Medical Services Authority has been working a number of ambulance calls involving people overcome by the heat, including one case in Tulsa involving a death.

    This man died after being found unconscious at a west Tulsa construction site on Monday. He is believed to have been a homeless man. He showed symptoms of heat-related illness, and alcohol use is suspected to have complicated his medical condition.

    A second person was also treated for heat-related symptoms in the Tulsa area Monday, but this person is not suffering major medical problems.

    Also Monday, EMSA transported six people to hospitals in the Oklahoma City area for medical issues related to the heat. Temperatures in Oklahoma City reached 103, while Tulsa reported 98.


    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Even after a pattern of rainy weather has moved out of Oklahoma, some Memorial Day weekend activities could be washed out by lingering flooding at state parks.

    Ten of Oklahoma's 50 state parks have problems with high water due to recent storms.

    Most of Beavers Bend State Park in southeastern Oklahoma has been closed after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had to release water from Broken Bow Lake. Nine other parks have closed boat docks and limited camping.

    State tourism director Hardy Watkins says the reality is that there will be an impact on Memorial Day weekend, one of the department's three biggest weekends of the year.

    But he says even a short dry spell could make a big difference in how many parks can reopen by next weekend.


    UNDATED (AP) - Power is slowly returning in Anadarko after a tornado damaged homes and businesses and downed trees and power lines.

    The town of about 6,400 was the hardest-hit after a storm system unleashed violent storms on the state Wednesday night.

    According to emergency management officials, three people sustained minor injuries when the EF-2 twister touched down in Anadarko.

    At least 40 homes and businesses were damaged and the downtown is littered with roofing material and shards of glass.

    Eddie Ladd says last night's storm was the first tornado he'd been through since setting up his insurance business there 21 years ago and hopes it's the last.

    In northeastern Oklahoma, a 100 mph wind gust blew off parts of the roof at the Lighthouse Mission in Bartlesville, displacing 15 homeless people staying at the shelter.

    Mission founder Naomi Hill says everyone was scared but safe.

    The National Weather Service's Norman office said at least five tornadoes touched down yesterday.

    An EF-1 tornado touched down in Noble County and EF-0 twisters touched down in Cleveland, Dewey and Kay counties.


    Tornado touches down in Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ May 14, 2009 3:10 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - No damage or injuries have been reported from a line of severe thunderstorms that spawned at least one tornado in Oklahoma overnight.

    Caddo County Emergency Management Director Larry McDuffey says there was damage in the cities of Anadarko and Gracemont last night, although officials aren't sure if it was caused by a tornado or straight-line winds.

    The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that downed trees and power lines had led to the closure of U.S. Highways 62 and 281, effectively closing off Anadarko to traffic from the east.

    McDuffey added that dozens of inmates were evacuated from the Caddo County jail because of a gas line break.

    A tornado was also reported near Tonkawa in Kay County, although emergency management officials couldn't locate a damage path.

    As many as 8,000 customers were without electricity at one point.


    2 dead in drowning accidents in Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ May 4, 2009 5:24 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Even as floodwaters receded in some areas of eastern Oklahoma, two people have drowned in separate accidents after the area endured heavy, constant rainfall in recent days.

    Twelve Oklahoma counties, mostly in the north and east, remain under flood warnings yesterday issued by the National Weather Service and three others were under flood watches. Another was under a flash flood watch.

    But through the afternoon hours, little rain fell in the state and forecasters also are predicting mostly dry weather today, with chances for rain increasing tomorrow.

    The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that 49-year-old Pryor resident Kimberlyn Rae Kendrick drowned on Saturday night after driving her car past barriers placed in a flooded rural Mayes County roadway and being swept away.

    Troopers also say 73-year-old Paul Cox of Broken Bow drowned yesterday morning in the Glover River in McCurtain County. Troopers say family members told them Cox hadn't been seen since 6 p.m. Saturday and that he had been drinking.


    Another storm day in Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ April 29, 2009 2:44 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - It could be another stormy in Oklahoma today.

    The National Weather Service said a cold front that moved southward across the state yesterday was expected to track back to the north, bringing warm, moist air with it.

    As a result, a complex of thunderstorms was forecast to develop west of Oklahoma and sweep eastward overnight into today.

    Far southwestern Oklahoma had the best chance of severe storms overnight, with areas farther to the east possibly seeing severe weather today.

    Yesterday, skies were partly to mostly cloudy and temperatures ranged from 60 degrees in Clinton and Guymon to 78 degrees in McAlester. The mercury peaked at 65 degrees in Oklahoma City and reached 66 in Tulsa.

    Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with temperatures reaching the 70s and 80s during the day and falling into the 50s and 60s tonight.


    6 tornadoes hit state over the weekend

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ April 29, 2009 2:34 AM
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    NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - At least six tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma over the weekend.

    National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Lamers says investigators confirmed that four twisters hit Garfield County late Saturday into early Sunday.

    Lamers says two of the tornadoes in Garfield County were rated as EF-2's, which can generate winds of up to 135 miles per hour.

    According to a report, one of those tornadoes struck Enid's north side and another hit southeast of Kremlin.

    A third Garfield County tornado that struck northwest of Kremlin and near Hillsdale, was rated and EF-1, meaning winds could have reached up to 110 miles per hour in the storm.

    Rating on the county's fourth tornado, which hit east of Hillsdale, hasn't been completed.

    Officials have confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in Roger Mills and Ellis counties on Sunday, but the ratings haven't been completed.


    Tornadoes hit Oklahoma for 2nd straight day

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ April 27, 2009 3:27 AM
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    CRAWFORD, Okla. (AP) - A mobile home and frame home were damaged when a tornado touched down in far western Oklahoma yesterday, but no one was hurt.

    State emergency management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten says the two homes were damaged in Ellis County but no injuries were reported from the second batch of storms in as many days.

    Three people were hurt when twisters struck Enid and Kremlin in northwestern Oklahoma overnight Saturday into Sunday morning.

    Numerous roads and bridges have also been closed due to high water in northwestern Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. reports about 3,000 customers without power in the Shattuck area in northern Ellis County.

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State and federal emergency management crews will visit northwestern Oklahoma this week to survey damage caused by a snowstorm that hit the area last month.

    As much as 2 feet of snow was reported in some areas after a blizzard moved through in the first week of spring, causing several roofs to collapse. Gov. Brad Henry declared a state of emergency for 50 Oklahoma counties.

    The preliminary damage assessments by the Federal Emergency Management Agency will concentrate on 11 counties in northwestern Oklahoma, from the Panhandle to Interstate 35 along the Kansas state line.

    The crews will focus on damage to roads and bridges, plus other emergency response costs.


    Wildfire destruction near OKC stunning

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ April 10, 2009 5:04 AM
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    TULSA, Ok. - AM 740 and FM 102.3 News/Talk KRMG's Steve Berg reports they actually had to shut down parts of Interstate-35 for awhile as the fires raged on. We're told it's back open now, but the damage has been done. Midwest City and Choctaw were hit the worst. Around Central Oklahoma, 34 people are reported injured, and more than 100 homes and other structures have been damaged or destroyed. Paul Norwood's home was saved, barely. His neighbor's was destroyed. Norwood says, "Pick up the pieces. It's devastating. I had no idea the emotional effect that a fire like this would take. You know, you spent your whole life with nothing really bad happening to you and then something like this? It's unbelieveable." Two of the injuries are said to be serious. A firefighter was burned while fighting a blaze in Lincoln County. And a motorist in Stephens County was badly hurt after losing control of a vehicle on a smoke-covered road.

     

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    Fires destroy dozens of homes, businesses

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ April 10, 2009 2:50 AM
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    MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (AP) - Authorities say dozens of homes have been damaged or destroyed and at least 34 people have been injured as fires rage across the state.

    The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management says two of those injuries were serious -- a firefighter was burned in a Lincoln County blaze and a motorist in Stephens County was severely injured after losing control of a vehicle on a smoke-covered road yesterday.

    Gov. Brad Henry says his thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their homes and adds that officials will get a better idea of extensive the destruction is at daybreak.

    Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel says about 100 structures have been damaged or destroyed, including the hard-hit communities of Midwest City and Choctaw.

    South of Oklahoma City, 13 homes were damaged or destroyed between Lindsay and Dibble and dozens of others homes were threatened.

    In Stephens County, Marlow Fire Chief Jerome McCalvin says some homes have been lost in the Velma area.

    In Carter County, assistant emergency management director Chester Agan says six homes have been destroyed and a church in Fox was destroyed.

    Stillwater Emergency Management Director Kirk Mittlestet says some structures have been lost in Payne County.


    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - It will take another day for a cold spring airmass to clear out of Oklahoma and allow more seasonable temperatures to return.

    The National Weather Service said a ridge of high pressure will settle over the area today, bringing the coldest temperatures of the past two days. Freeze warnings for all but the counties in the Oklahoma Panhandle are in effect for tonight.

    McCurtain County in the southeastern tip was expected to be included in the warning.

    Yesterday, skies were clear to partly cloudy and ferocious northerly winds whipped the state most of the day. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, maximum wind gusts ranged from 25 mph to 57 mph.

    Daytime highs ranged from 48 degrees in Guymon to 58 degrees in Frederick. The mercury peaked at 49 degrees in Bartlesville, Enid, Gage, Ponca City and Tulsa and hit 54 degrees in Hobart and Oklahoma City.

    Skies should be sunny today, with highs in the 40s and 50s and lows in the 20s.


    Freezing temperatures rough on cattle

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ March 30, 2009 6:02 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)
    TULSA, Ok. - AM 740 and FM 102.3 News/Talk KRMG's Steve Berg says as tough as the snow is on humans, imagine standing out in a pasture 24-7. Ranchers in Northwest Oklahoma are very concerned about losing some of their cattle in the massive snowfall. They of course got a lot more snow out west than we did here. And Rancher Paul Freundt says it couldn't have come at a worse time since this is the time of year that new calves are born. He says, "It can get really bad, especially on newborn calves who are coming from a temperature of 102 degress and all of a sudden they're out here where it's 30 degrees. So, that's a massive change for their bodies." The ranchers say if just 5-percent of a their livestock is lost, it can wreak havoc on the industry for the rest of the year.

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    Storm cleanup begins

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ March 30, 2009 4:27 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The skies cleared, the temperatures warmed and electricity returned to areas of northwest Oklahoma that were hit by a crippling spring storm.

    As little as a trace to as much as 25 inches of snow was reported throughout Oklahoma, with eight counties in the northwest part of the state seeing the greatest accumulations.

    The National Weather Service received a report of 25 inches of snow near Fort Supply in Woodward County, the highest amount. Other amounts include 24 inches in Alva, Freedom, Hooker and Laverne; 23 inches in Buffalo; 21 inches in Felt and 18 inches in Arnett, Turpin, Waynoka and Woodward.

    NWS meteorologist Alex Lamers says in February 1971, 36 inches of snow as recorded in Buffalo.

    The snow led to roof collapses in Custer, Harper, Texas and Woodward counties. Thirty-eight residents were evacuated from a Buffalo nursing home to a hospital because the roof caved in and schools in Fort Supply and Tyrone were damaged by collapses.

    In Harper County, emergency manager Conyetta Lehenbauer says electric power had returned to many residences, including her own, and emergency workers reached elderly people who were trapped in their homes.

    In neighboring Woodward County, emergency manager Matt Lehenbauer said crews had cleared major roads in the area and damage assessments were expected to begin today.

    Oklahoma Department of Transportation employees have been working non-stop. Officials say six 10-member teams carrying enough fuel and food to last at least four days were dispatched to northwest Oklahoma on Saturday.


    Late-season storm headed for Oklahoma

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ March 27, 2009 3:17 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for much of northwest Oklahoma, where more than a foot of snow could accumulate amid windy, blizzard-like conditions.

    A blizzard warning was issued for Cimarron and Texas counties in the Oklahoma Panhandle, where more than six- to 12 inches of snow could fall and winds 35 to 40 miles per hour with higher gusts could create snow drifts of ten to 20 feet.

    A winter storm warning was issued for Beaver County and adjacent counties in northwest Oklahoma and counties bordering the Texas Panhandle for four to eight inches of snow and up to four inches of snow was possible in a winter storm watch area that includes Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

    Forecasters said generally warm ground conditions and temperatures above freezing could limit the bulk of the travel problems to the northwest part of the state.


    President declares disaster for ice storms

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ February 18, 2009 2:56 AM
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    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster exists in areas of Oklahoma that suffered major damage in winter storms at the end of January.

    The declaration yesterday makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and some nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis.

    The funding is for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, and Hughes.

    Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

    Douglas G. Mayne has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

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    Obama approves assistance for 3 Oklahoma counties

    By
    Don Bishop
    @ February 16, 2009 3:28 AM
    Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - President Obama has approved Oklahoma's request for disaster assistance to individuals in three counties hit by deadly tornadoes last week.

    Gov. Brad Henry announced yesterday that approval for individual assistance was granted for Carter, Logan and Oklahoma counties.

    The designation ensures federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing and low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property. It also provides disaster unemployment assistance and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

    Henry says he also expects to seek public assistance to help reimburse state and local governments for storm-related costs.(file photo)

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    LONE GROVE, Okla. (AP) - The last thing Susan Fambrough did as a howling tornado bore down on her mobile home in Lone Grove was comfort her 13-year-old daughter by taking her hand.

    Within moments, the 54-year-old and her youngest daughter, Kaylee, were pulled apart as the powerful storm splintered their trailer.

    Kaylee emerged from the wreckage with minor injuries, but the bodies of her mother and father Vincent Fambrough were discovered later that night.

    The couple was among eight people killed and 14 seriously injured in the Tuesday night. Carter County Sheriff Ken Grace said yesterday his earlier report that one of these 14 had died was incorrect.

    Others killed were postal carrier Tim Nevill; truck stop clerk Molly Hutchison; truck driver Gary Boyd Jr.; retiree Donna McGarvey; Air Force retiree William Wheat and Trevor Morgan.

    State Medical Examiner's office spokeswoman Cherokee Ballard says all of the victims except Boyd lived in Lone Grove and all suffered some form of blunt force trauma. Boyd was from Jones.

    Meanwhile, authorities declared the search for victims was over and residents began in earnest the task of cleaning up. (file photo)

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