COMANCHE CO., Okla_ Comanche County road crews are doing what they
can to make things as safe as possible for drivers who have to get out in the
weather.
Emergency Management Director Clint Wagstaff said both the City of Lawton and the county
have sand trucks and road graders positioned across the county. That equipment
will help crews get to residents that may get stranded on the roads, but
officials urge residents to play it safe and stay inside.
Wagstaff said
they're targeting the low-lying areas off of Highway 7 and some of the rural
areas on the edge of the county. He also mentioned Old Cache Road, because it has several
hills and valleys where snow can pile up. Wagstaff said the county is ready for
the storm. He's hoping residents are as well.
He said the county
has equipment ready to rescue drivers stranded in the storm, but they should be
patient.
"It does
not mean we can get to you just because it's pre-positioned," Wagstaff said. "Remember,
we've got to get to that equipment too. I don't think it's going to be as bad
as 2010, but anytime there's a possibility of blizzard and drifting snow, we
need everybody to be safe."
That's why Eastern
District Commissioner Gail Turner said they've made arrangements to try and
stay ahead of the storm.
"We stage
our graders at operator's houses or near their houses over the county," Turner
said. "So, we can get in emergency-type situations to respond a lot quicker. That
way, they don't have to drive a long way before they can get on to them. It's a
lot safer if everybody can get home before this thing hits. When it hit in '10,
most people didn't have a chance to get home."
Wagstaff said
during the snow storm of 2010, officials had to shut down I-44 just north of Chickasha and down south to the Red River.
He said hundreds of drivers were stranded on the highway, many of them in snow
drifts. Wagstaff said across Comanche
County, about 30 drivers
had to be rescued. One of them had been stuck for almost 7 hours.
Driving in this
type of weather is a risk Wagstaff said is not worth it.
"It's a
good possibility of you being hurt or killed," Wagstaff said. "We did have one
fatality during the ‘10 blizzard on the highway. Somebody got out the vehicle
and was struck and killed. Remember, if you're stuck, that means we can't get
the rescue equipment to you easily. It takes a while to get there. You need to
stay home, be safe and enjoy it."
Wagstaff said if you do get stranded on the road, call 911. He said you
should also keep your car heater on for as long as possible until rescuers can
get to you.
Wagstaff said
it's important for residents to prepare for the worst, both outside and
indoors. He said it's also a good idea to make sure your windows and doors are
insulated and that you have plenty of food and water for your pets.
