OKC snowstorm situation update – Jan. 23

Published on January 23, 2026

Streets

Public Works crews are salting and plowing along OKC snow routes in 12-hour shifts around the clock until street conditions improve.

People are encouraged to avoid driving during hazardous conditions. If you must drive, you should have someone to call if you are stranded. If you get stranded, try to move your car off the road so other vehicles can safely pass.

  • Stay on snow routes -   Stay home if you can. If you must drive, stay on the City’s snow routes. Visit okc.gov/winter to see the regional snow route map.
  • Give plow/salt trucks space - Keep about 200 feet between your vehicle and salt/plow trucks.
  • Accident tracker - Residents can view injury and noninjury accidents on OKC roads with the City’s accident tracker.

The City has 32 trucks affixed with salt spreaders and plows. Public Works crews pretreated snow routes with a beet solution earlier this week. Please note that neighborhood streets are not part of the snow routes and will not be treated.

Trash, recycling and bulky updates

  • All Friday trash and recycling routes have been completed on time as scheduled.
  • Due to anticipated road conditions, trash and recycling collection for Monday, Jan. 26, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Jan. 28. Customers should place carts at the curb by 5 a.m. or earlier on Wednesday and leave them out until serviced.
  • Customers who receive bulky waste collection during the fourth week of the month (Jan. 26-30) should place bulky waste at the curb as scheduled and leave it at the curb until collected.

Learn more about bulky waste collection and other collection days. For questions or to report service issues related to solid waste, water or sewer, contact Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833 or visit okcutilities.com or the My OKC Utilities mobile app.

OKC Police

OKC Police are not responding to non-injury accidents. If you are in a non-injury accident, exchange insurance information with the driver of the other vehicle.

EMSA

In addition to an uptick in motor vehicle accident response during times of winter weather, extended severe cold weather can cause an uptick in hospitalizations. Residents with pre-existing health conditions should stay indoors and ensure any medical supplies like oxygen tanks are in adequate supply. Oxygen tanks should also be stored indoors, as colder oxygen can be hard to breathe. For more safety tips from EMSA, visit emsaonline.com/safetyresources/winter/.

People who are unhoused

When forecasted temperatures dip below 32 degrees, the Homeless Alliance, City Rescue Mission, Sisu Youth and Pivot provide overflow beds for those seeking to get out of the cold. These resources are in addition to the regular capacity at overnight shelters. Details about shelters can be found at keytohomeokc.org. People working in outreach are warning people who are unhoused about the forecast.

Public Transportation

EMBARK is continuing Winter Weather Detours to ensure safe travel for customers and transit professionals due to forecasted winter weather.

Saturday, Jan. 24, service levels are as follows:

  • OKC Fixed Route & RAPID NW: Level 2 Winter Weather Detours (Level 2 Detours are reflected at embarkok.com)
  • Norman: Winter Weather Detours

EMBARK/RAPID NW - EMBARK riders should plan for potential delays and closed bus stops due to winter weather detours. Visit embarkok.com for a list of closed bus stops. EMBARK’s operations teams are preparing for conditions by treating bus and streetcar platforms, parking garages and walkways with de-icing material.

Senior and mobility transportation - EMBARK’s winter weather page also includes information on the status of EMBARK’s senior transportation and mobility management programs. Please call (405) 297-2583 for additional information.

No-cost transportation to emergency shelters - As freezing temperatures continue, EMBARK provides FREE transportation to emergency winter shelters along our routes. Visit keytohomeokc.org for a list of shelters and connecting bus routes.

OKC Streetcar - Tonight, the OKC Streetcar will run overnight after regular service hours. However, it will not pick up passengers during this time. This preventive measure is intended to keep the streetcar tracks clear and prevent ice buildup on the overhead wire. Otherwise, the Streetcar will run its regularly scheduled service. Streetcar rides are free through July 5, and no ticket is required to board.

EMBARK will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed. For the latest information, visit embarkok.com/bus/winter-weather-detours or call 405-235-RIDE (7433).

OKC Municipal Court

Presiding Judge Donald O. Kiffin has canceled all Oklahoma City Municipal Court sessions on Monday, Jan. 26, due to severe winter weather.

All cases will be continued without assessing a continuance fee. Defendants/attorneys will be notified of the new court date. Contact Municipal Court for general inquiries or to make a payment by calling (405) 297-3898 or logging on to okc.gov.

OKC Municipal Court administration will continue to monitor the weather and adjust as needed.

OKC Animal Welfare

The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter, located at 2811 SE 29th St., will be closed Saturday, Jan. 24, due to winter weather.

During this closure, essential animal care will continue as normal. Field officers will respond to emergencies and priority service calls only, as road conditions allow.

The Shelter’s normal hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and closed Sunday-Monday. At this time, the Shelter will reopen on Tuesday, once conditions allow for safe travel and operations.

The public can still view adoptable pets and file lost pet reports online at okc.gov/aw.

OKC Will Rogers International Airport

All major airlines have cancelled flights for tomorrow, and some have cancelled evening flights today. As of now, flights will resume on Sunday. Passengers can stay up to date on their flights at flyokc.com or through their airline's mobile app and text alerts.

Airport staff will work around the clock to keep the runways clear, starting this afternoon through Monday. No aircraft will be left at OKC from this evening through midday Sunday.

OKC Parks & Recreation facilities

OKC Parks community centers, performing arts centers, gyms, event centers, recreation center, senior center, Martin Park Nature Center and grounds and Will Rogers Gardens Exhibition Center and grounds will be closed Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25. The five Oklahoma City municipal golf courses will be closed Saturday, Jan. 24, through Monday, Jan. 26. All outdoor parks will be open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center

OKC’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center, at 1621 S. Portland Ave., will be closed Saturday, Jan. 24.

OKC Zoo

The OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden is closed from Friday, Jan. 23 – Wednesday, Jan. 28. Stay tuned to the OKC Zoo’s socials (@okczoo) and okczoo.org for additional updates.

OG&E

All available units at OG&E’s power plants are operating and ready to support the grid during this cold snap and for the rest of the winter.

Customers can take several actions to help manage their energy usage during cold weather, including:

  • Setting thermostats lower than usual, if your health permits.
  • Open drapes and blinds during the day to allow sunlight to warm the home and close them at night to preserve warmth. 
  • Use a microwave oven instead of a conventional oven when possible. 
  • Air-dry your dishes. 
  • Turn off lights and appliances that you are not using.
  • Unplug small appliances, phone chargers, gaming systems, etc., when not in use.

For our most vulnerable neighbors, several warming centers are available across OG&E's service area. If you know someone who needs a place to stay warm, find a warming center at OGE.com/WarmingStations.

While outages are not anticipated during this weather event, should you see downed power lines, stay away from them and anything they touch. Report downed power lines or outages at 800-522-6870. To receive outage information by text, phone or email, you can sign up for myOGEalerts on OGE.com.

Oklahoma Natural Gas

Our team is prepared for the incoming winter weather, and we expect that our systems will perform reliably and meet the needs of our customers. Throughout the weekend, we will closely monitor the weather conditions across Oklahoma to maintain the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses.

Customers can follow the tips below to help reduce their natural gas use and lower their bills:

  • Keep warm, not hot – if you’re too warm in your residence, turn your heat down. A few degrees can make a big difference on energy usage.
  • Hold off doing chores that involve using natural gas appliances until temperatures rebound.
  • Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Apply weatherstripping and caulk to seal gaps and cracks around doors and windows.
  • Change or clean the filters on heating or air conditioning units.
  • Install inexpensive foam gaskets to seal outlets and electrical switches.

Check on your neighbors

Check on family members, friends and neighbors before, during and after storms. Don’t wait for them to ask for help. Not everyone can afford to heat their home, so a quick call or visit can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe.

Prepare for winter storms

Keep necessities on-hand

Items for winter storms to add to your disaster kit include extra non-perishable food and water for one or two weeks, extra blankets, coats, gloves, winter hats and water-resistant boots. Get extra medication, oxygen or other medical supplies.

Cell phones

Keep your cell phone charged in case of a power outage.

Safely use alternative heating sources

Fires at home are common in the winter because of improper use of dangerous heating sources. Here are some tips from the Fire Department:

  • Make sure working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are properly installed in your home. Alarms should be installed inside each sleeping area, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Test your smoke alarms monthly and install fresh batteries twice per year when the time changes.
  • Space heaters need space. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn (furniture, bedding, curtains, etc.) Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Keep all combustible materials away from floor furnaces.
  • Remove any combustibles from central heater closets.
  • Use a metal grate to hold logs inside fireplaces. Use an approved metal or glass screen in front of fireplaces to prevent embers from flying out of the firebox and into the home.
  • Ensure the fire in the fireplace is completely extinguished before going to bed.
  • Have fireplaces inspected and/or cleaned annually by a qualified chimney sweep specialist.
  • Do not place hot fireplace ashes into dumpsters. Place ashes into a sealed metal container and store well away from the home for several days before final disposal.
  • Remember to open the damper before lighting the fireplace.
  • Never use your oven to heat your home.
  • Use portable generators outside and well away from the home. Position so that fumes and deadly carbon monoxide will not enter the home through doors, windows, or vents.

Dress for the conditions

Dressing in layers is key, as it not only keeps you warm but allows you to adjust to changing temperatures. Proper gloves, socks and footwear are essential. Choose headwear that keeps your head and ears warm. Ski masks can also help to warm your neck and warm the air you’re breathing.

Keep pets safe

If it is too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. Dog owners must protect their dogs from the elements when the temperature dips below 32 degrees.

When left alone in freezing weather for more than 30 minutes, many dog breeds will become frostbitten and could even freeze to death. If a dog dies after being exposed to extreme weather, the dog’s owner can be charged with a felony.

A dog is considered outside if it has an unheated doghouse or other unheated structure. The structure should have a safe heat source. Vehicles are not considered adequate shelter.

  • Towel dry your pet immediately after they come inside, paying attention to their paws and stomach.
  • Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
  • Dog houses without insulation are not enough to protect dogs from hypothermia. Freezing drinking water also poses a risk to pets.

Protect your pipes

During winter weather events, some customers choose to drip their faucets to prevent pipes from freezing. If you do, special care should be taken to prevent excessive water use and to protect our vital natural resource. Here are a few tips:

  • Only drip faucets on walls along the exterior of the home.
  • It does not take a heavy flow of water to effectively prevent pipes from freezing. Only a small, steady drip or stream no wider than a pencil lead is needed.
  • Avoid dripping faucets when temperatures rise above 32 degrees.
  • Open cabinets underneath sinks to allow warm air to circulate and keep pipes warmer.
  • If your house has a basement or crawl space, wrap exposed water pipes with frost- or freeze-protection wrap to insulate them against freezing.
  • If you notice your pipes are frozen, use your home’s shut-off valve to shut off water to your home and allow the pipes to thaw.

Outdoor water lines

Here are some recommendations to try and prevent outside pipe breaks:

  • If you have not done so, turn off your automatic sprinkler system so it does not turn on during the freezing weather.
  • Remove garden hoses and cover outdoor water spigots.
  • If you experience a water line break, shut the water off to limit the amount of excess water flow, and call Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833 for assistance.

Turn off sprinklers

Residents and business owners are asked to turn off sprinkler systems when the temperature drops below freezing. Water sprayed or running onto streets and sidewalks during freezing temperatures causes hazardous conditions for pedestrians and drivers.

The City also recommends inspecting your sprinklers and irrigation systems for leaks and to confirm the system has been turned off or adjusted to prevent icy streets and sidewalks.

Winter driving

  • If possible, avoid driving while streets are covered in ice and snow.
  • Have your vehicle winterized by a qualified mechanic.
  • Make sure your tires have adequate tread and pressure for the conditions.
  • Reduce speeds.
  • Fill up your gas tank.
  • Allow more time to slow down and stop.
  • Allow more space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Be sure to use your headlights so your car is visible during inclement weather.
  • Watch this video with winter driving tips.

Winter weather vehicle emergency preparedness kit

  • Blankets or sleeping bags.
  • Jumper cables.
  • Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
  • Compass and road maps.
  • Shovel.
  • Tire repair kit and pump.
  • Flares.
  • Extra clothing to keep dry and gloves.
  • Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire traction).
  • Tow rope.
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