Winter Weather Strikes Western Oklahoma

frozen

January 17, 2020

By News Director Jared Atha

The first significant winter storm of the young year came into the area late Thursday afternoon and evening.

As expected, travel was hampered when at least 10 vehicles that included two semis were either involved in wrecks or slid off Interstate 40 between Clinton and Weatherford last night as temperatures fell and freezing rain moved through the region. The accident forced officials to shut down the westbound lanes for several hours.

The weather also forced the closure of the westbound exit 32 ramp for just over two hours last night and early this morning. It was later reopened right before 2 a.m.

Fortunately very few power outages were reported. As of press time, between Public Service Company and North Fork Cooperative, fewer than 5 customers combined had not had their power restored.

Multiple school districts in the area chose to start classes a couple hours later at 10 a.m. today, while other schools that were more affected by the storm canceled classes all together. Despite postponements and cancellations of classes, sporting events in the area appear to be played on schedule tonight.