© 2024 KGOU
News and Music for Oklahoma
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Cost Of December Storms Adding Up For Oklahoma Department Of Transportation

Edmond Police Department
/
Twitter

Thunderstorms, blizzards, flooding — Oklahoma saw them all last month, and the cost of responding to them is adding up for the department of transportation.

"Our storm-related activities has cost the agency $1.6 million during the month of December," said ODOT Director Mike Patterson. "The bulk of that, $1.4 million, has come in since Christmas Day."

ODOT sent crews out to treat slick roads and help motorists navigate highways with lanes closed because of ice and snow. They’re also assessing damage caused by ice storms and heavy rain.

Patterson expects the bill will get even bigger as floodwaters in eastern Oklahoma recede and reveal more damage.

The panhandle and western Oklahoma were hit with snow and ice, while the eastern part of the state saw heavy rainfall over the Christmas weekend. All 77 Oklahoma counties got a state of emergency declaration from Gov. Mary Fallin as a result.

KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.
More News
Support nonprofit, public service journalism you trust. Give now.