State of Emergency declared for 56 Oklahoma counties

OKLAHOMA CITY - Monday's winter storm has prompted state officials to activate the State Emergency Operations Center as a blizzard warning remains in effect for much of northwest Oklahoma.

Lieutenant Gov. Todd Lamb declared a state of emergency Monday for 56 Oklahoma counties due to excessive snow and severe weather affecting many areas of the state.  The executive order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness.

Counties included in the state of emergency include Adair, Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cherokee, Cimarron, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Craig. Creek, Custer, Delaware, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Major, Mayes, McClain, McIntosh, Muskogee, Noble, Nowata, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Rogers, Seminole, Texas, Tillman, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington, Washita, Woods and Woodward.

The executive order is the first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary for cleanup or recovery.

The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety closed all highways in the panhandle early Monday due to blizzard conditions.  The snow is expected to fall in Green Country between 9 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday.

For information regarding Oklahoma road conditions, call (405) 425-2385 or go to www.dps.state.ok.us .

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