Stay bundled as cold snap hits Southwest Oklahoma

Southwest Oklahoma is in the midst of its first winter blast of the year and Comanche County/Lawton Emergency Management is advising everyone to be prepared.

With temperatures not expected to rise above freezing until Tuesday at the earliest, there’s a possibility of up to 1 inch of snow forecast for the Lawton area between Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Coupled with winds between 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45, freezing can feel like sub-freezing in a pinch and lead to dangerous wind chills through Tuesday.

If you must be outside, wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, and a hat, said Thad Hulbert, emergency management specialist. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Also, cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.

Extremely cold temperatures create hazardous outdoor conditions for people and animals. High winds can impact utilities, including electrical lines and underground utilities such as water lines.

In your homes, it’s advised to leave your hot and cold faucets streaming and open cabinet doors to allow home heating to help keep your pipes warm.

The Salvation Army Shelter, 1306 SW E, will be open 24 hours through Tuesday for those in need. Contingency shelters in Comanche County include: Letitia Baptist Church, 2606 S. Oklahoma 65 in Lawton; New Life Assembly Church, 501 West B, in Cache; First Baptist Church, 412 E. Main, in Geronimo; and Crossroads Baptist Church, 11423 NE 75th, in Elgin.

Lawton Area Transit System will be operating from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to provide transportation to the Salvation Army Shelters.

If snow and/or ice falls, the City of Lawton has salt/sand trucks prepared to deploy. The Comanche County East and West Districts are prepared to sand bridges, intersections and to clear impassable roadways, as well.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has treated highways and Interstate 44 with brine solution and has snowplow crew at the ready to clear roadways.

For weather updates, and additional information. check local city social media, weather.gov/oun, local television channels, or NOAA Weather Radio.