DUNCAN —
While Stephens County still remains safe in terms of travel, with only rainfall occurring this morning, several state highways are already closed and travel to the northwest regions is not advised.
The following information has been released by various public safety departments.
Oklahoma Department of Public Safety has been advised by Texas DPS Headquarters in Childress of the following road closure:
* I-40 is virtually shut down from Amarillo east to the Oklahoma state line. They are advising that with the current extreme weather, the Texas Department of Transportation is not attempting to clear roadways at this time.
Motorists are asked to avoid travel in or near this area. Oklahoma DPS will continue to monitor roadways and release updated information as conditions change.
Verified through the Texas DPS HQ and released by Jeff Lewis with the Clinton OHP troop, in Childress that I-40 is virtually shut down from Amarillo east to the Oklahoma state line.
Accidents are already happening, which is an additional problem that public safety officers are dealing with.
Kansas Department of Transportation is also sending out road closing advisories, and has shut down U.S. Highway 54 in Liberal, in conjunction with DOT roads at U.S. Highway 412 (Bousep Junction -U.S. 281) at Woodward, U.S. Hwy 54 at Texhoma and the state line, U.S. Hwy 64 and Hooker and all roads around Guymon, as of 8:25 a.m. today.
Contact information for Troop I HQ is 580-338-3366, Lt. Burrows.
Local News
Numerous state highways closed to travel
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National EMS Week shines spotlight on rescue workers
The Air Evac helicopter was sitting on the helipad at Duncan Regional Hospital Wednesday, but not for emergency reasons.
National EMS Week, May 19-25, is about connecting with the community and the Air Evac Lifeteam was doing just that.
“Every base we have is doing something like this during the week,” said Heather Taylor, Air Evac program director. “We want to show appreciation to our community.” -
Restaurant rumors remain on the hot plate
From IHOP and HomeTown Buffet to Chili’s and Olive Garden, restaurant whisperings have been running rampant in the community since the arrival of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar.
Although there are a few open spaces such as the old Golden Corral location and the soon-to-close Honda site, none of these rumors can be confirmed at this point according to Chris Deal, Duncan Chamber of Commerce president. No information on any of the businesses’ websites points to them opening a new location in the area. -
DMS plants a tree for custodian
Tam Pham left a lasting impression on Duncan Middle School, and the school has returned the favor.
On Wednesday, the middle school, along with Duncan Public Schools administrators, recognized Pham for his 28 years of service as head custodian at Duncan Middle School. Pham retired earlier this school year. To honor Pham, the district planted a Chinese pistachio tree in front of the middle school. A base plaque was included to commemorate Pham’s dedication to Duncan Public Schools. -
List of Moore deceased released
Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office released today, the confirmed and unconfirmed list of fatalities.
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Will Rogers graduates pre-k students
Duncan High School’s graduation may be Friday, but the high schoolers won’t be the first group of students to graduate this year in Duncan.
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Safe room procedures under review
Duncan elementary schools dismissed at 3 p.m. Monday, but it wasn’t until almost 5 p.m. that students who remained at the schools were released to go home.
Because of two storm systems moving through the area, the school district chose to keep students at the school as a precaution if their parents had not already picked them up. Superintendent Sherry Labyer said the plan was to keep students at the schools until the storms passed or moved away from the area as a way of keeping students safe. Buses didn’t start running until 4:45 p.m. -
Marlow goes on alert
Marlow Elementary went to load its buses twice before students were finally able to leave Monday.
Rotation nearing the city made it impossible for students to leave initially, and the school enacted its inclement weather procedures to ensure the safety of its students. Assistant Principal John Smith said the procedures were performed well by students and faculty members. -
Harrowing scene inside school
Kelly Law and other teachers marshaled students into the main hallway and central bathrooms at Plaza Towers Elementary School just before Monday’s tornado ripped apart the building with winds up to 200 mph.
“It sounded like somebody was going through with a mower and hitting a tin roof,” said Law, a teacher’s assistant. “… I had my eyes shut. All of us teachers were covering as many heads as we could.” -
OHP: Non-credential First Responders to stay away
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is securing the perimeter of a current disaster
scene in Moore. There are 68 stations with Troopers blocking entrance and
exits near the city of Moore. -
Medical examiner: 24 dead in Oklahoma twister
The state medical examiner's office has revised the death toll from a tornado in an Oklahoma City suburb to 24 people, including nine children.
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