Multiple Accidents Reported As Freezing Rain Moves Across OKC Metro

Emergency crews are responding to multiple accidents in the Oklahoma City metro as light freezing rain and sleet move across the area Thursday morning. Slick road conditions are being reported across the metro area. 

Winter Weather Advisory

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for parts of state, including Oklahoma, Canadian, Lincoln counties and more. 

The advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Meteorologists said freezing rain and drizzle will continue into Thursday afternoon. Precipitation will end from west to east late Thursday. Ice accumulations around 1/8 of an inch will be most common, mainly on elevated surfaces.

Check road conditions here.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, conditions are deteriorating rapidly in the OKC Metro and surrounding areas. Roadways are slick and hazardous especially on bridges, overpasses and elevated areas. Motorists are encouraged to take precautionary measures when traveling.

ODOT released a road condition update as of 11 a.m..  Crews are currently treating slick spots on bridges and highways in far southwestern, southern and southeastern counties of the state as well as Texas and Major counties in the panhandle. Marshall, Bryan and Atoka counties in southeastern Oklahoma are seeing some slick bridges and overpasses, use caution along the US-69 corridor.

Crews have been out in the Oklahoma City metro since early Thursday morning sanding and salting all roadways and bridges. Use caution on bridges in the metro as they are very slick. Crews in Tulsa and Creek counties are treating slick spots.

Statewide, crews are monitoring weather conditions and are on standby to apply sand and salt to bridges and roadways as conditions warrant.

If drivers must travel out of state they are urged to check area road conditions before heading out.

Out-of-State Road Conditions

Arkansas 800-245-1672 www.idrivearkansas.com

Colorado 303-639-1111 www.cotrip.org

Kansas 866-511-5368 511.ksdot.org

Missouri 888-275-6636 www.modot.org

New Mexico 800-432-4269 www.nmroads.com

Texas 800-452-9292 www.drivetexas.org

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS in Oklahoma, call the Department of Public Safety's ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 888-425-2385.

Accidents

According to ODOT, at 9:45 a.m., southbound I-35 was narrowed just south of Britton Rd. due to an accident. The roadways reopened at 12:25 p.m.

Just after 9 a.m., emergency crews responded to an accident involving two semi-trucks and a car on I-40 westbound at Air Depot. The westbound lanes of I-40 were shut down. Police were rerouting drivers off at Air Depot.  Just after 12 p.m., authorities reopened the roadways. 

An accident involving a semi-truck in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 at Wilshire was blocking traffic in the area at about 7 a.m.. Crews also responded to a rollover accident at Broadway Extension and N.W. 50th.

News 9 Storm Tracker Alan Broerse was on the scene of a semi-truck accident in Yukon near I-40 and Garth Brooks at about 6 a.m. Thursday. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the semi slid off the road while trying to slow down. 

Troopers said the semi then lost control, crashed through the cable barrier into the median, and caught fire. Two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. 

According to EMSA, since midnight, paramedics responded to 61 motor vehicle accident in Oklahoma City metro, including 18 rollovers. Five people were transported to the hospital. 

Track accidents across the metro here.

City street crews driving 18 trucks began around-the-clock salting operations along the City's snow routes at 6 a.m. Thursday. Street crews will step up their operations to 34 salt trucks at noon, officials said.

Crews are reporting slick and hazardous street conditions citywide. Unnecessary travel is discouraged. Street conditions are expected to worsen through the weekend.

Crews will salt exclusively along the City's snow routes, which can be viewed on the City's website, www.okc.gov. Officials said salt is in good supply with approximately 6,000 tons in stock. A salt truck driver drives approximately 200 miles in a 12-hour shift.

Homeowners are asked to turn off their sprinkler systems.

Regional snow route maps are available on the City's website at www.okc.gov/prepare/winter.html

Officials offer the following safety tips:

· Use extra caution when driving over bridges and overpasses.

· Turn off your automatic sprinkler systems.

· Remember that posted speed limits are only to be followed during ideal weather conditions. Slow down while driving on snow or ice.

· Give salt trucks plenty of room – stay at least 100 feet behind them so salt won't get thrown on your car.

· Plan ahead by getting up and leaving the house earlier.

· Keep at least a three-car distance from the car in front of you

· Steer and brake more slowly than usual.

· Keep warm shoes and clothes in your car.

· Clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before setting out.

· Proceed carefully through intersections.

· Have a plan if you slide off the road – who are you going to call?

Stay with News 9 and News9.com for updates.