Volunteer warming shelters are expected to open this week due to freezing cold temperatures and possible snow heading for the area beginning late Wednesday.
The area should see temperatures dropping Wednesday night with lows around 26 degrees — which is also expected to be the high on Thursday. Washington County Emergency Management Director Kary Cox said Monday that temperatures are expected to drop further Thursday night to reach below zero, with gusty winds making the wind chill temperature dip to as low as minus 20 degrees. Cox said single-digit highs are expected on Friday, with wind gusts continuing into the overnight hours on Friday.
“We’re looking at teens for a high on Saturday with winds dying late Saturday,” he said. “Christmas Day should be sunny, with highs in the low 30s.”
Precipitation in form of rain and/or snow is possible Wednesday night through Thursday as well, he said.
“At this time, the amount of precipitation is unclear, but we could see as much as three to four inches of snow — unless the super cold air arrives earlier than expected,” he said.
Warming shelters
To help those without shelter keep warm during the weather event, volunteer warming centers will be open beginning Wednesday, coordinators announced this week. (Note: The following warming shelters are sponsored and operated by local volunteer groups, not the City of Bartlesville.)
- Home for the Night Emergency Shelter, located in the Disciples Christian Church, 5800 Douglas Lane, will open at noon on Wednesday. Sign up to help here.
- Warm Up Bartlesville Shelter, located in the former NIPER Building, 219 N. Virginia Ave., will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Sign up to help here.
City services
No changes are expected in City services due to the storm, City Manager Mike Bailey said today.
“Barring any circumstances we simply can’t predict right now, such as power outages or heavier ice and snow than is anticipated, we expect City services will continue with no interruption,” Bailey said. “Our trucks have been readied with the proper equipment to clear roads in the event of snow and/or ice and we will pick up trash as scheduled. City Hall will remain open so people can pay their utility bill or establish service, and police and fire will respond as needed.”
Additional information
Snow and/or ice event protocol
During snow and/or ice events, the Public Works Department applies a sand and salt mixture to city streets where needed, in accordance with the City’s Snow Removal Policy.
Priority is given to streets in the following order:
- Major arterial streets
- Collector streets
- Residential streets
The Public Works Department currently has seven trucks capable of snow plowing and sanding. These trucks are prepped by City staff well in advance — typically in November — for the upcoming season to ensure they are serviced and all equipment is in working order.
Some equipment, such as spreader boxes and snowplows, are detachable; therefore, these pieces of equipment remain detached so the trucks can be used for other work when the additional equipment is not needed.
The number of trucks and the equipment used during an event depends on the amount of accumulation. When minor accumulation is forecast, the trucks are equipped with sand boxes but not snow plows, as the plows can be dangerous to have on the truck, if not needed, and only take about 10 minutes to attach if they are needed.
A minimum of two trucks are equipped and used during no or light accumulation. During major events, when significant accumulation is forecast, all seven trucks are utilized.
One staff member is on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. During snow and/or ice events, the on-call staff member will determine how much additional assistance will be needed based on the severity of the event and call out other staff accordingly. During major events, crews will work 12-hour shifts for as long as needed.
Snow and Ice Removal Police
- Snow is plowed only on major streets.
- Snow will not be plowed on residential streets.
- It will be the responsibility of the property owner to clear their driveways and sidewalks.
- Snow removed from driveways, sidewalks, or parking areas shall not be placed in the street.
- An attempt will be made to follow set priorities, however, due to blowing or drifting snow, some streets must be plowed repeatedly to control drifting snow.
- In removing snow from the streets, it cannot be expected that all the snow will be removed down to bare pavement. What snow or ice remains will be salted or a salt/sand mixture applied to improve traction.
- CMA may be applied to dry road surfaces in anticipation of snow or ice to help facilitate in keeping the snow or ice from adhering to the roadway surface. It may be applied later to help keep the precipitation from freezing solid.
- Due to the intensity of the storm or the time of day that the storm arrives set priorities may be changed with prior approval of the City Manager, Public Works Director, or his designated representative.
The policy may be viewed in its entirety at Snow and Ice Removal Policy.