Winter Storm in Canadian, Oklahoma

A strong winter storm crippled much of Oklahoma from January 12th through the 14th, spreading snow, freezing rain and sleet across the state. The snow and sleet was confined to northern and western Oklahoma. The freezing rain and sleet occurred mainly over central and southwest Oklahoma, with mainly freezing rain over the southeast. The hardest hit areas with freezing rain were Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Cotton, Hughes, Seminole, and Johnston counties. The wintry precipitation caused numerous traffic accidents with numerous indirect injuries and 14 indirect fatalities. Many trees and powers lines were downed with thousands of residents without power, mainly over southern and eastern Oklahoma. The severe cold that accompanied this storm also allowed for water main breaks in Clinton and Lawton. Other damage included school gymnasium roofs collapsed in Del City, Newcastle, two awnings collasped in Allen and Ada, and four greenhouse roofs collasped in McClain county. Also, the prolonged period of wintry precipitation closed airports, schools, malls, and other places of business. The slick and hazardous roads caused many schools to remained closed for several days after the winter precipitation had ended.