Oklahoma Prepares for Severe Weather Today and Tomorrow

Statement

Governor Kevin Stitt is urging Oklahomans to be prepared for severe weather across the state today, including strong tornadoes, damaging winds, very large hail, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding.

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in communication with city, county, tribal, and private sector emergency managers and other partners across the state. State agencies will have emergency management liaisons staffing the EOC through the day.

OEM and other state agencies are receiving regular updates from the National Weather Service forecast offices in Norman, Tulsa, and Amarillo. Additionally, OEM has brought in an advance team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 6 to help facilitate the delivery of any federal resources that may be needed during the incident.

For additional awareness, through a partnership between OEM, National Weather Service, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), and Lamar Advertising, the state has activated severe weather preparedness messaging on Lamar digital outdoor boards in the Oklahoma City metro area and ODOT highway digital message signs statewide.

Multiple rounds of storms are expected to move through the state today into Tuesday. The public is urged to be weather aware throughout the day and overnight and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. Individuals and families should review their preparedness plans, refill emergency kits, and clean out their safe refuge areas, including safe rooms, basements, or the lowest level interior room of their homes.

Follow the National Weather Service or local media for weather updates and be prepared to take your emergency precautions before dangerous conditions threaten.

Flash flooding will be an additional concern, and drivers are reminded not to drive around barricades or into flooded roadways.

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