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.