EOC Blizzard Update - 7:30 PM Friday

The EOC will be staffed through the night to monitor conditions.

Current Conditions:
It is still snowing heavily. Expect white out conditions due to blowing and drifting snow. Blizzard Warning in effect through 7 AM Saturday for Western and Central Panhandles, through 1 PM Saturday for the Eastern Panhandles. Travel is discouraged.

There have been a few wrecks throughout the day but not very many. People took the storm seriously and the reduced number of people on the road due to closures and heeding precautionary measures alleviated the problem. There was great coordination on all levels, including media, response organizations, and resource management. We have had a surge of Twitter followers today and you can continue following EOC updates at www.twitter.com/AmarilloOEM

Preliminary Storm Amounts:

NWS AMARILLO TX 6.9 DRIFTS OVER 3 FT
TEXLINE TX 12.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 6 FT
BOISE CITY OK 9.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 6 FT
KENTON OK 12.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 7 FT
DALHART TX 10.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 10 FT
VEGA TX 5.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 3 FT
TEXHOMA OK 4.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 3 FT
STRATFORD TX 8.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 8 FT
GUYMON OK 9.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 5 FT
BUSHLAND TX 9.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 8 FT
HOOKER OK 12.0 6 PM DRIFTS TO 7 FT
BEAVER OK 8.0 7 PM DRIFTS TO 4 FT 6
SSW AMARILLO TX 7.0 7 PM DRIFTS TO 4 FT
STINNETT TX 8.0 7 PM DRIFTS TO 4 FT
CANYON TX 4.0 7 PM DRIFTS TO 1 FOOT
CANADIAN TX 5.0 7 PM DRIFTS TO 2 FT

Closures:
I40 Closed East and West of Amarillo, I40 is open within the city of Amarillo
Highway 287 closed north of Amarillo
Highways 412, 83, and 54 are closed in the OK Panhandle
Roads are closed in and out of Dalhart, TX

Road Condition Numbers:
Texas Panhandle: 1-806-468-1488
Texas: 1-800-452-9292
Oklahoma: 1-405-425-2385
New Mexico: 1-800-432-4269
Southeast Colorado: 1-303-639-1234
Colorado: 1-303-639-1111
Kansas: 1-800-585-7623

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Blizzard Update - 8:30 AM Friday

The Emergency Operations Center was activated at 5:30 AM this morning to monitor and coordinate resources for the winter storm situation.

Current Situation:

..A BLIZZARD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL TEXASAND OKLAHOMA PANHANDLES UNTIL 7 AM SATURDAY...

SNOWFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR CAN BE EXPECTED IN THEHEAVIER BANDS. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW...VERY STRONG NORTH WINDSWILL RESULT IN WIDESPREAD BLOWING SNOW THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WINDSPEEDS WILL CONTINUE AT 30 TO 40 MPH...WITH GUSTS APPROACHING 55 MPHAT TIMES. VISIBILITIES WILL BE SEVERELY LIMITED DUE TO THE BLOWINGSNOW...WITH MOST AREAS EXPERIENCING VISIBILITIES OF LESS THAN 1/4 OFA MILE.

Highways are VERY slick and travel is highly discouraged. White-out conditions are occuring throughout the area.

6-8 inches of snow reported over most of the northwest TX panhandle and eastern NM

Major road closures - 287 North & South from Dumas, 87 North from Dumas, 54 North to Oklahoma, I-40 West at Soncy, 287 North at Givens (1719)

Texas Road Conditions - http://www.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions.htm

Closings:

AISD, WTAMU, Amarillo College - All campuses
Potter County
All Southwest and American Airlines have canceled flights in and out of Amarillo
Numerous other closings
- http://www.newschannel10.com/Global/link.asp?L=211526&nav=menu429_3_10
- http://www.connectamarillo.com/weather/school_closings.aspx
- http://myhighplains.com/content/schoolclosings

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Snow Amounts & Timeline Updates (3/26)

NWS Amarillo has issued a Blizzard Warning for the Texas Panhandle. Expectations are 8+" accumulations in the Amarillo area. White-out conditions are potential throughout the area, especially in the early Friday morning hours. Avoid travel if at all possible on Friday, if you do have to go out, please take extra precaution and allow enough time to get to your destination.

Breakdowns of possible snow accumulations are:
Thursday 8PM to Friday 8AM: ~2"
Friday 8AM to Friday 8PM: ~6"
Friday 8PM to Saturday 8AM: ~1"

Snow drifting could be in the 10-20 ft range in some areas.

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Winter Weather Briefing...

As of Wednesday afternoon regarding snow fall potential:

(courtesy Amarillo NWS & Panhandle Shield -http://tinyurl.com/dzqcrm)

Remember, conditions can change at any time. Please stay tuned to local forecasts for up-to-date information. Amarillo/Potter/Randall OEM will be monitoring the situation and provide updates as warrented.

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Blizzard Watch - What you should know & how to prepare.

Amarillo NWS has issued a BLIZZARD WATCH for our area in effect from Thursday evening until Saturday morning.

A BLIZZARD WATCH is issued when winds greater than 35 miles per hour, mixed with falling or blowing snow, and visibilities of 1/4 miles or less is forecasted for a period of 3 hours or more and is usually issued 36 to 12 hours before an expected blizzard event.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
OEM, Red Cross, and FEMA urge you to have enough supplies to sustain you and your family for 72-hours. You should always take weather reports seriously and make sure you and your family are prepared for the worst. Winter storms can often be more severe than predicted, so it is a good idea to check your home and emergency supplies as soon as you hear of a potential blizzard.

AT HOME OR WORK MAKE SURE YOU HAVE:

• Flashlights, battery-operated lantern, battery-operated touch lights...
• Batteries
• Battery powered NOAA All-Hazard Radio, radio, or TV to get up to date information
• Extra food, water, medicine, and baby items
• First aid supplies
• Heating fuel (propane, kerosene, fuel oil, etc...) & camp stoves
• Emergency heating source

IN CARS AND TRUCKS:

• Fully check and winterize your vehicle
• Keep your gas tank near full
• Try not to travel alone
• Let a friend or relative know your timetable for travel
• Carry a WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT which contains:
• - blankets/sleeping bags
  - flashlight with extra batteries
  - high calorie, non-perishable food
  - a smaller can and water-proof matches to melt snow for drinking water
  - sand or cat litter
  - shovel
  - windshield scraper
  - tool kit
  - tow rope
  - jumper cables
  - water container
  - compass
  - road maps

Please stay tuned to local media, NWS, and OEM Twitter for further information on this coming winter storm.

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Flood Safety Awareness Week..T.A.D.D.!

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. Over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters the next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into flood waters.

Most flood-related deaths and injuries could be avoided if people who come upon areas covered with water followed this simple advice: Turn Around Don't Drown™. A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes only two feet of rushing water to carry away most vehicles. This includes pickups and SUVs. If you come to an area that is covered with water, you will not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. This is especially true at night, when your vision is more limited. Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded road, TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN! T.A.D.D.

• Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio, or your favorite news source for vital weather related information.
• If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes etc.
• Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Turn Around Don't Drown™
• Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around Don't Drown™
• Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

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Please Exercise Caution...

The majority of the TX Panhandle is under a Red Flag Warning today and with the critical fire concerns, it's important to keep these fire prevention tips in mind:

• Use caution when lighting open barbecue grills and try not to do any burning during these times of heightened concern
• Don't toss cigarettes out car windows
• Avoid driving through tall grass and never park you vehicle on dry grass.
• Carry a shovel and fire extinguisher in your vehicle or OHV/ATV.
• Refrain from yard work on dry, hot days when a spark from a lawnmower hitting a rock could ignite a grassfire.
• Keep a watch out for arsonists and others being careless with fire
• Report any smoke or fire immediately to 9-1-1

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