The city of Tulsa continues to be under an emergency declaration in response to winter weather - the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency (TAEMA) Emergency Operations Plan is being followed. TAEMA’s Emergency Operations Center is now fully activated.
Street Operations Update
City crews are utilizing group plowing to clear the snow that fell across the area earlier today. Crews will continue to work throughout the duration of this event to get snow cleared from arterial roadways.
Plows are the main device being used today, as applying salt would make it easy for the plows to push it off of the roadways. Salt also does not activate nearly as well with temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Crews remain on a 24-hour response in preparation for an additional round of winter weather expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you have to be driving, please be mindful of City crews and snow plows.
It’s important for anyone who will be driving in these conditions to:
There have been instances of private businesses and their contractors using snow plows in parking lots, pushing snow out into public streets. This should not occur, as it makes the City’s job tougher. Property owners should designate a spot on their properties where the snow can be piled.
EMSA Update
Though the number of falls are down in the Tulsa area, EMSA has responded to an uptick in cold exposure calls and carbon monoxide calls. It’s vitally important to stay inside and not go out if you do not have to.
Carbon monoxide can be reduced and eliminated in your home if you have safe heating sources available. Please do not use ovens or stoves as heating devices, especially appliances that utilize gas. These can create a carbon monoxide danger in your home. Also, do not use propane heaters not intended for indoor use, either, as they can pose a carbon monoxide risk.
Tulsa Fire Department Updates
The Tulsa Fire Department (TFD) has been responding to numerous broken pipe calls across the city. It’s asked residents take a proactive approach now by locating the main water shutoff valve to your residence. In the event of a pipe burst, water can quickly be turned off to prevent more damage.
TFD is also stressing safety guidelines when it comes to portable heaters, smoke alarms and safety measures to take in the case of power outages. More information on best safety practices in the event of a power outage can be found at www.ready.gov/power-outages.
Tulsa Police Department Updates
The Tulsa Police Department is asking residents be overly aware of first responders who are out on the roadways with their emergency lights activated. Keep plenty of distance, move over and slow down. Drivers are asked to not become overconfident in their driving abilities as roadway conditions can change quickly.
Tulsa Parks Updates
All Tulsa Parks community centers and specialty centers, including Oxley Nature Center, will be closed tomorrow. Additionally, Student Support Camps at various community centers will not be held.
Tulsa Animal Welfare Update
Tulsa Animal Welfare (TAW) will be closed to the public tomorrow due to inclement weather. TAW officers will respond to emergency calls only, such as cruelty and bite calls. There are no appointments to see animals today or tomorrow, except for residents needing to drop off animals for an emergency. In the case of such an emergency, please call TAW at (918) 596-8001.
Refuse & Recycling Update
The City expects to resume refuse collection on Tuesday.
It’s asked residents be patient during this time as crews make every attempt to get caught up. Citizens who have not been serviced, yet, are asked to leave their carts out at the curb.
Refuse collections on Tuesday will operate on a holiday schedule, with Monday customers being picked up on Tuesday, Tuesday customers being picked up on Wednesday, and so on.
Customers who have extra trash that will not fit inside the refuse bin can place a reasonable amount of bagged trash outside and next to their gray trash cart. Only trash, not recycling, should be placed in your gray trash cart or on the curb. Additionally, backyard refuse will need to be serviced at the curb.
The City of Tulsa Mulch Site is closed until further notice and bulky waste services have been suspended through Monday, Feb. 22.
City Clerk Updates
The City Clerk’s Office will not have any in-person services tomorrow. Citizens can still contact staff, who will be working remotely, by calling (918) 596-7513 or by emailing cityclerk@cityoftulsa.org. Please be patient, as services and response times will be temporarily limited as a result of this closure.
Waterline Break Updates
Today, the City continued work on numerous waterline breaks across the city. Due to the extremely cold temperatures, this is not unexpected. Eight crews were working on these breaks today, along with an additional six crews from the City’s emergency contractor. Four crews will stay and work overnight to address waterline breaks as they happen.
The City has asked crews to frequently rotate and warm up in their vehicles whenever needed. Some repairs will take longer due to the cold temperatures.
Drivers should be aware of areas where there are orange cones and other traffic devices, as many of these are areas in the road where the waterline was repaired, but the road has not yet been repaired. When temperatures rebound, City crews will be able to fully repair the street when asphalt and other materials are able to be used.
City of Tulsa Snow & Ice Response
The City of Tulsa is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the Gilcrease Expressway, L.L. Tisdale Expressway and all arterial (main) streets. Other highway segments in Tulsa are the responsibility of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
After a snow or ice storm begins, the goal is to make expressways and arterial streets safe and passable as soon as possible. These resources are available to attain this goal:
Crews are assigned to 35 specific routes totaling 1,770 lane-miles, which is approximately the same distance as driving from Tulsa to San Francisco. Spreading and plowing routes are prioritized based on traffic counts.
The following link includes the route map the City uses in its winter weather response: www.cityoftulsa.org/winterpreparedness
Additionally, a list of frequently asked questions on the City’s snow and ice response can be found online.
Want to receive updates on emergency weather information and create a disaster plan for your family? Download the free Tulsa Ready App, compatible with Android and iOS systems. Follow the City of Tulsa on Twitter for updates during winter weather season, @cityoftulsagov.
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