Slick, Snowy Roads In Southeast Oklahoma Make Travel Hazardous

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation said slick and hazardous conditions remain in several counties.

Tuesday, December 25th 2012, 6:48 pm



Some Green Country roads are slick and very dangerous tonight, especially the further south and east from Tulsa you go.

It was a snow covered Christmas in Southeast Oklahoma.

"On the night we celebrate Christ's birth, it's absolutely breathtaking," said Dana Ray.

It's a beautiful sight, but for drivers, like Dana Ray, the beauty of it doesn't outweigh the dangers.

"It's icy. There's no snow plowing going on, there's nothing that's cleared the road yet, but we're doing okay," Ray said.

12/25/2012 Related Story: Snow Continues To Accumulate Along, South Of I-40

While road workers can't hit every spot, many around the state have taken time away from their family this Christmas to treat and clear some of the more treacherous areas.

"I got my chains on. I'm probably the only one with chains on, driving around going five miles an hour. Everybody's thinking I'm crazy, but I'm glad to be a part of it," Ray said.

You see, Ray's not used this type of weather. She's in from sunny Arizona visiting her nephew, so getting around for her has been interesting this holiday.

"I don't know how to drive in snow and I don't have a four-wheel drive like all you cowboys," said Ray.

Those cowboys say their big trucks can be a blessing and a curse. They're always the first on the line when a friend or a neighbor needs a little help getting out of a slick situation

"It was slick. We had to use four-wheel drive. I mean, you can go slow if you take your time, but four-wheel drive—you pretty much have to have it," said Wade Mathis.

The National Guard said a total of 40 soldiers were activated ahead of the storm and told to be ready to assist people stranded on Oklahoma roads.

Units in Broken Arrow, Chandler and Okmulgee were called to duty. The Broken Arrow and Chandler units have since been released and the Okmulgee unit remains on stand-by.

Soldiers assisted OHP in areas where they had more vehicle accident calls than the troopers could physically respond to.

Officials said, while the snow has stopped, temperatures will still be well below freezing overnight, so roads are likely to be slick again Wednesday morning. OHP is discouraging travel in the affected areas.

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