MCALESTER, Okla. — Preparations are underway as southeast Oklahoma is now under an Ice Storm Warning.
Residents in McAlester are preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) has staged utility trucks at the Southeast Expo Center in McAlester, with line workers on standby in case ice accumulates on power lines.
“Freezing rain which will make ice accumulate on our lines, it adds weight to them, it also makes them more prone to the wind and both of those are bad situations, potentially,” said Wayne Greene, the PSO spokesperson.
Plans are in place in Pittsburg County, as the bulk of the freezing rain is expected to fall beginning Wednesday evening.
[ Ice Storm Warning for southeast OK ]
Kevin Enloe, the Director of Pittsburg County Emergency Management said all crews, including salt and sand crews, are ready.
“If we lose power, we have generators and such that are in place, ready to deploy if need be,” Enloe said.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) said it is prepared to tackle the next round of wintry weather and that four of its five trucks will focus on Highway 69 and 270.
“This gravel is utilized, it’s small enough it won’t bust windows, and it’s used to help trucks get traction especially on 69 highway,” said Greg Vaughan, Resident Manager of ODOT in Pittsburg County. “It puts a layer down for tires to be able to get a hold and move on down the road.”
Drivers have a role to play as well, according to McAlester Police Department Capt. Richard Parker.
“The roads are going to get even worse than what they are at the moment. The best advice I can give to help us out is, if you don’t have to be out, stay at home,” he said.
Greene said they have about 200 utility trucks and they’re able to move them about if need be based on the forecast and conditions.