Despite Online Rumors, PSO Reminds Customers No Rolling Blackouts Planned
As extreme cold and winter weather continues to impact Tulsa, the City remains fully prepared and actively engaged across all departments to respond.
City teams include the street crews in Public Works, police officers, firefighters, water personnel in the Water & Sewer Department, and animal control officers at Tulsa Animal Services - among countless others. The City's response remains coordinated through the emergency operations center - with City teams remaining in contact with outreach teams, local agencies, and local public utility companies throughout the duration of the event.
Streets Response
City of Tulsa street crews remain in active response mode, with the PM shift reporting at midnight to work overnight as additional snowfall is expected across the area. Crews are operating on 12-hour shifts and will continue working around the clock until road conditions improve and the winter weather event concludes.
Several more inches of snow are forecast overnight, which could lead to deteriorating travel conditions. Plows remain deployed and ready to respond, with crews continuing to plow Tulsa’s main roads in coordinated groups to more efficiently clear lanes, intersections, and known problem areas. Salt trucks will continue following plows to aid in snow and ice melt, with a focus on major arterials, intersections, and historically problematic locations.
Motorists are urged to use caution if travel is necessary, maintain distance from City plows and treatment vehicles, and never attempt to pass them while they are working.
For a complete list of the City's assets to combat winter precipitation, in addition to a map of the City's snow and ice routes, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/winterpreparedness
Street Closures
Homeless Outreach & Shelter Operations
The City of Tulsa, in coordination with the A Way Home for Tulsa Continuum of Care (AWH4T), Housing Solutions, and local shelter partners, are continuing to get vulnerable residents inside during this dangerous cold period.
Outreach teams continue their response as they work to get individuals who refused service initially to come inside. An overnight team is available to continue that response. Area shelters remain at capacity, but additional space is being made where feasible due to demand.
Shelter Volunteers Needed
A Way Home for Tulsa (AWH4T) is continuing to look for additional volunteers at the new CREOKS winter weather shelter. Volunteers will help keep the shelter open and operating at increased capacity throughout the event.
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, sign up online.
Winter Weather Shelters (Open 24/7)
The following shelters will be open 24/7 during this weather event. Pets are accepted where noted.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO): Statement on Rolling Blackouts Rumor
Despite online rumors, PSO is not conducting - or planning to conduct - rolling blackouts at this time.
"PSO is not conducting any rolling outages across its service area at this time. PSO and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) are constantly monitoring electrical supply and demand and the condition of the grid. As conditions change, PSO is ready to take any steps necessary to serve its customers.
"SPP has issued a Conservative Operations Advisory for the entire SPP Balancing Authority (BA) area, effective Saturday, January 24, at 12:00 a.m. CT until an anticipated end time of Monday, January 26, at 12:00 p.m. CT.
"Conservative Operations Advisories are considered stable operating conditions and do not require the public to conserve energy or take any action."
Tulsa Animal Services
Tulsa Animal Services has taken more than 80 calls for service since Friday. The shelter wants to remind Tulsans that it is a violation of City ordinance to leave pets outside during this extreme weather.
During this time, enforcement will be strict. No warnings will be given for violations, which if found, may result in fines of up to $1,200 and/or up to six months in jail.
The shelter (3031 N. Erie Ave.) is closed today due to weather conditions. Sunday hours will be dependent on overnight snowfall - and staff will decide on opening/closing early Sunday morning.
Weather Safety Reminders
For more details about staying safe during extreme cold temperatures, in addition to information on how to protect your pets, pipes, and property, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/weather
Stay Informed
Residents are encouraged to monitor the City of Tulsa website, www.cityoftulsa.org, and official City social media channels for:
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