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Damage is reviewed after Oklahoma snowstorm

(FROM STAFF REPORTS)
Published: Mar 30, 2009
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Officials have opened roads and begun to assess damage caused by a spring snowstorm that covered much of the northern half of the state this weekend.

The snow caused several roofs to collapse in Harper and Woodward counties, including a nursing home in Buffalo and a school gymnasium in Fort Supply.

"Our biggest problem is going to be the school gymnasium in Fort Supply. It looks like the cafeteria attached to that may not be safe,” said Matt Lehenbauer, Woodward County Emergency Manager. A structural engineer will be in Woodward County today.

Many residents in the northwest were stranded when roads began closing on Friday, but roads and highways have reopened. Roads remained slick in north and northwest Oklahoma and some side roads were still covered with snow Sunday afternoon.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to 178 weather-related accidents, including two fatal accidents. Tulsa crews responded to nearly 50 multiple-vehicle accidents due to the weather, including 15 injury accidents.

The top snowfall figures reported to the National Weather Service were 29 inches in Laverne, 25 inches in Fort Supply, 24 at Alva and Freedom, 23 at Buffalo, 22 at Arnett, and 18 at Fargo, Alabaster Caverns, Waynoka and Woodward.

More than 200 people were treated for storm-related injuries, the state Department of Health said.

About 500 customers in Beaver, Woodward and Harper counties were without power on Sunday, the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives said. Another 50 Kay Electric customers were without power in Kay and Grant counties.

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Damage is reviewed after Oklahoma snowstorm