Blizzard Blasts Oklahoma

A record setting blizzard is wrecking havoc on the state of Oklahoma.

As of 6 p.m. Oklahoma City televisions stations were reporting 12 inches of snow in the metro area with drifts has high as 14 inches in some areas and more snow falling.

The nonstop storm got under way about 5 a.m. in western Oklahoma.

Here where I live in north central Oklahoma we didn't see any precipitation until about 10:30 a.m. and so far we have received close to three inches.

Currently all of the Intestates in Oklahoma have been closed as has the Turner Turnpike, Creek Turnpike and Will Rogers Airport.

My cousin works for the turnpike authority and he said it is a mess.

Governor Brad Henry has declared a state of emergency and the National Guard has been rescuing people stranded on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike which is also closed.

Near Hudiberg on Interstate 44, rescuers have been busy cleaning up a 50 car crash.

Here in Kay County, troopers and sheriff deputies spent a large part of the afternoon searching for lost duck hunters on Kaw Lake.

It seems the hunters became separated from their boat and ended up lost in the woods around Beer Creek Cove.

They used cellular phones to make contact with officials.

Law enforcement sounded sirens and fired guns in the area until the hunters were located.

All day the television stations have been broadcasting live and pleading with people to stay home.

Many businesses closed early including Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City.

Drivers everywhere are having problems including the media.

One news crew ended up in an accident and hit another vehicle.

An experienced storm chaser ended up stuck in the snow and the station broadcasted his location hoping someone could pull him out. Later they reported he has been rescued and will be spending the night with strangers.

Many people are stuck in their cars and help could be hours away.

It is being reported that troopers as well as ambulances and wreckers are getting stuck.

People stranded are being told to stay in their car, run the motor periodically and keep a window cracked to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

There is a fear of just how many people are trapped on rural roads and other areas that rescuers do not know about. Temperatures are dropping into the single digits with 0 or below wind chill factor.

Others are trapped in their homes because thousands of people have lost power primarily because wind gusts as high as 50 mph knocked over power poles in some areas.

Also, 911 call centers have been swamped with calls from stranded drivers and fender benders.

People are being asked not to call unless they are injured. If they are trapped they are being asked to dial *55.

For more information or pictures on the Oklahoma blizzard there are several Web sites you can log onto including: www.kfor.com; www.koco.com; www.kwtv.com, kotv.com.