Dear Readers: We’re be providing updates here about Winter Storm Kingston as it barrels into Oklahoma, bringing several inches of snow and life-threatening cold to Broken Arrow.
UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF BROKEN ARROW:
The City of Broken Arrow continues to closely monitor the forecast of wintry precipitation and extremely cold temperatures and wind chill values. The following information is an update on city operations during this inclement weather event.
Street Maintenance
Employees of the Streets and Stormwater Department began pretreating arterial streets and bridges at 2 a.m. Tuesday. There are approximately 600 lane miles of arterial streets and bridges in Broken Arrow.
The application of salt throughout the morning helped break up the freezing precipitation and made roadways slushy and passable. However, as the temperature continues to drop with additional snowfall this evening, drivers are encouraged to drive only if necessary. City crews will continue removal operations, but drivers should anticipate hazardous roadway conditions and implement strategies that promote safe driving such as leaving early, reducing speed, providing enough room between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you, and staying alert of the roadway being driven.
The Streets and Stormwater Department is prepared with:
- 13 dump trucks equipped with plows and spreaders
- 5 trucks with plows and brine tanks
- Approximately 190 tons of salt has been used
- Approximately 3,700 gallons of brine has been used
Police Operations
Broken Arrow Police Department began working limited response operations at approximately 9:30 a.m. Motorists involved in non-injury vehicle collisions are encouraged to exchange information. As of 3:30 p.m., BAPD has responded to the following situations:
5 – non-injury vehicle collisions
0 – injury collisions
2 – motorist assists
2 – self-initiated motorist assists
Fire Operations
Broken Arrow Fire Department brought in additional staffing to man Brush Truck units. This operation will continue on Wednesday. Brush Trucks allow for better response due to all-terrain tires and four-wheeled drive capability. Weather-related responses have included a vehicle in a ditch and calls for medical assistance due to slips and falls.
Citizens using portable space heaters should adhere to proper usage recommendations to avoid fire hazards. With the use of indoor fireplaces and space heaters, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning can increase. If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call 911 from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel declare that it is safe to re-enter the home.
Trash and Recycling Curbside Pickup
These services have been suspended through at least Thursday, Feb. 20. The current conditions combined with the forecast for significant snow and dangerously low temperatures are not safe factors for our employees to continue collection services. If your carts did not get emptied this morning, we encourage you to leave them at the curb to avoid slip and fall hazards. We will continue to monitor the conditions and forecast to prepare a plan to resume trash and recycling collection services that minimizes the risk of employees being injured and property being damaged. Again, at this time, we will not empty trash and recycling carts on Wednesday or Thursday.
City Facilities
City facilities will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and non-emergency personnel will not report to work. City services such as permit or license applications and payments can be done on the city website, brokenarrowok.gov, or on the My Broken Arrow Action Center app.
Fleet Services
The Maintenance Services Department has mechanics available for emergency repairs of snow plowing vehicles and equipment, Police vehicles, and Fire apparatus during this event. Mechanics and the in-house NAPA facility that stocks parts are staffed around the clock to ensure repairs are made in a quick and efficient manner that reduces the downtime vehicles and equipment are unavailable.
Water Utility Services
Crews will be available for emergency water line repairs. Property owners are encouraged to let water move through the line to help keep it from freezing over. This can generally be accomplished by letting an interior faucet drip slowly. Additional tips to consider:
- Open cabinet doors under sinks that are on an exterior wall to allow in heat
- Know where your water shut off valve is located in case you need to turn it off if you have a pipe burst
- Remove hoses from exterior faucets and apply protective covering
Currently, there are no active breaks with public service lines related to weather. City staff will continue to be available during this weather event if you need your water turned off at the meter. Please call 918-259-8400.
Warming Station
The front classrooms at the Public Safety Complex, 1101 N. 6th Street, are available for individuals who need to get in out of the cold. Pets are not permitted however certified service dogs are allowed. The PSC is available after normal business hours.
We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and provide updates about our operational plan when available.
7 p.m. Just spent the past 90 minutes driving Broken Arrow from Olive and 101st to 81st and Aspen to County Line and 71st. Looks like we’ve received 2 inches of snow so far. Roads are passable if you gently tap the gas, brake gently and don’t speed. But the winds have picked up and temperatures are going to drop like a rock later. Watch out for the sheet of ice on Main Street southbound just before Washington St.
City of Broken Arrow plows have been out clearing the arterials as best they can, have seen them down Aspen, Elm, etc.
4 p.m. UPDATE: National Weather Service says dry air that has kept snowfall totals down in Tulsa will likely saturate and provide a few hours of significant snowfall tonight, which could mean several inches of snow in just a few hours. Meanwhile, the polar airmass will continue to sink south and affect our area tonight and into tomorrow.
Wintry precipitation will continue into early Wednesday across eastern Oklahoma and northwest and west central Arkansas. Heavy snow impacts are most likely in northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, with widespread moderate to major travel impacts expected, including potential for blowing and drifting snow.
Meanwhile, the polar airmass will continue to sink south and affect our area tonight and into tomorrow.
2:07 p.m. The Tulsa County Board of County Commissioners signed an emergency proclamation this morning allowing the county to request resources for those affected by the winter storm and implement the Tulsa County Emergency Operations Plan.
1:57 p.m. Broken Arrow Public Schools closed Wednesday for all students pre-K through grade 12 due to inclement weather and road conditions: “This will be a traditional snow day with no distance learning requirements. All after-school activities scheduled for Wednesday evening are canceled. Coaches and program directors will provide updates on specific activities.
Custodial, maintenance and snow team staff should NOT report to their assigned sites on Wednesday. Please wait for additional communication from your supervisor about assigned duties. Employees at the Education Service Center, Central on Main and all other 12-month staff should plan to work from home on Wednesday.”
11:56 a.m. Road conditions are getting worse. Highway 75 between Okmulgee and Interstate 44 near Miami are shut down due to accidents and pileups.
10:30 a.m. All is pretty quiet right now in Broken Arrow, but the snow line is sinking south.
9:09 a.m. Snow poised to move into the area (NWS radar image). But the biggest snow bands are still north of us.
7:51 a.m. The last snowfall forecasts we saw for Broken Arrow indicated 4-6 inches. Much of that depends on how soon the colder air filters into the area.
(7:40 a.m., 2/18)
BAS: Winter Storm Kingston is in the house … there is a light glaze of ice forming and delays are forming. This isn’t expected to be a huge icing event. Roads are passable but getting slicker by the minute. PLEASE don’t drive if you don’t have to. Follow road conditions HERE.
(9:52 p.m., 2/17)
BAS: So every place we went today was out of salt, rock salt, snow melt, whatever you want to call it. So POOL SALT it is, thank you Lowe’s (we think) …
(9:50 p.m. 2/17)
BAS: Forecasters are calling for 5-10 inches of snow and a glazing of ice in the Tulsa metro. We’ll see in the morning how the National Weather Service comes down on the snowfall totals. But the cold is coming REGARDLESS.
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