Kingfisher County may feel like Minot, N.D., over the next week to 10 days, but local emergency and basic service providers ask residents to remember the differences.

Subzero temperatures and massive snow accumulations that remain on the ground in February are business as usual for North Dakota residents and government services there who have the resources and know how to handle it.

Down south, where snow acuumulations are rare and cold spells last 24 hours and are interspersed with 60-degree sunny days, snow removal equipment is limited, warm coats, gloves, hats and scarves are buried in closets and drivers unfamiliar with severe weather conditions end up in 100-vehicle pileups that stretch emergency services to the limit.

“We realize that we may not be able to keep all city streets clear during snowfall,” Kingfisher City Manager Dave Slezickey said.

“We are working with a local contractor for snow removal, and will post updates on the City of Kingfisher Facebook page.

“Quite honestly, we may not be able to keep up with it, and will try to keep main arteries cleared, but realistically probably won’t be able to get to every side street during snowfall.

“We have three backhoes and WellCo has offered a plow truck and two graders.

“Even if we can get every street clear, not sure that every resident can get out of their driveway and every business can get their lot cleared.”

Slezickey said local residents can help by staying home if at all possible andlooking out for their neighbors.

“We are asking those who do not need to get out to stay at home, and those who must get out to use extreme caution while being out.

“Please check in on your neighbors, friends and family during this week of bad weather.

“City resources for snow removal are limited, but we will be pooling all resources to maintain safety for the community.

“As a community, we are experienced in hunkering down from COVID last spring, and while we don’t anticipate it lasting that long, we are asking people to stay at home over the next few days.”

At presstime Friday afternoon, city electrical crews were working on an unspecified issue at the south industrial substation, which had power out on the southside of town.

The outage included Walmart, where disaster preparation shopping had already been at a frenzied pace for a couple of days.

Cimarron Electric CEO Mark Snowden said his crews are on alert and linemen have been sent home with their trucks, although major outages are not anticipated with the type of precipitation predicted.

“We have our crews on call around the clock and have been in contact with our county commissioners and we will work side by side with them to get to outages if we need to should the snow close roads,” Snowden said.

“Our warehouses and pole yards are stocked, trucks are loaded and we are monitoring our grid and responding as needed.”

Kingfisher City-County Emergency Management Director Steve Loftis is keeping his eye on weather updates.

“We are trying to set up locations in case we need a warming station. If we open a warming station it would only be open during the day.

“I would tell people not to get out if they do not need to. There are going to be dangerous wind chills and the possibility of heavy snow.”

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is encouraging residents to stay home during the upcoming winter weather event.

Starting on Sunday, OHP is discouraging any travel because of the dangerous conditions that will be caused by the winter storm.

OHP is partnering with the Oklahoma National Guard to have Stranded Motorist Assist Response Teams (SMART) ready to assist stranded motorists if needed.

These teams will be placed strategically throughout the interstate system Sunday through Wednesday.

The teams will consist of eight to 10 national guardsmen and troopers with three to four national guard vehicles and one to two troopers.

The teams will respond as a convoy to any emergencies.

They will have equipment to remove vehicles from roadways but their main goal will be to rescue any stranded motorists and get them to a warm and safe location.

This is a joint effort between the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

Despite this effort, there is not enough personnel to be in all places across the state at once. Depending on the conditions and the call volume, it could take a team several hours to get to a stranded motorist.

Thatis why OHP is asking everyone to stay home. If you absolutely have to get out, let others know your planned route and expected arrival time. Check brakes, wipers, fluids and tire pressure. Pack warm clothing, blankets, flashlight, ice scraper, sand or cat litter, jumper cables, non-perishable food and drinking water. Charge your phone before you go and take a charging cord with you.

Allow extra time for your drive. Slow down and avoid distractions. And as always, make sure to buckle up.

Beginning Friday afternoon, OHP and ODOT will be working to iufflove abandoned vehicles already on the shoulders of highways.

This will make it easier to identify stranded motorists who actually need assistance over the coming days.

Kingfisher County Sheriff Dennis Banther joins in the chorus of emergency workers who are urging people to stay home and safe.

“If you have gas or diesel generators, prepare by having enough fuel on hand for several days as well as several days of food.

“While ODOT and the county commissioners are preparing for storms, they have several hundred miles of roads to clear and it could take several days to open them all up,” he said.

“Our agency will be using four-wheel drive vehicles throughout the weather, but anticipate difficulties in our movements as well.

“Also, be sure you have your prescriptions filled and have several days’ supply on hand of essential medicine.

“Check on your elderly neighbors and others who don’t have the means to get to the store if needed.

“Don’t hesitate to call for emergency services, if needed, but please play it safe and stay home unless you have to be out.

“This is not the time to take unnecessary risks.”

Kingfisher County Commission Chairman Heath Dobrovolny said “all district shops are preparing equipment with snow chains and plows to move snow on Monday.

“Drifting snow should be expected if we get any snow over 6-8 inches with 20 mile per hour winds and it will take a few days to open all roads.

“If we get the 15-inches plus of snow, it could take us more than five days to open all the roads.

“We have communicated with emergency services in case there is a medical response necessity to ensure access is possible.

“I would encourage everyone to be prepared for a couple of days of closed roads.

“We will be out in force to clear them as soon as possible.”

Kingfisher Fire Chief Tony Stewart also warned about increased fire hazards during extreme cold as additional heat sources are added to homes.

“If you are using space heaters for additional warmth, make sure they are approved for indoor use,” he said.

“Now is a good time to test your smoke alarms as well as carbon monoxide detectors and make sure batteries are fresh.

He also offered the following safety tips:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters or fireplaces.

• If you have small children, maintain a three-foot “kid-free” zone around open fires and space heaters.

• Never use your range or oven to heat your home.

• If you’re not sure if your fireplace is safe to use, err on the side of caution and don’t use it.

• Don’t burn paper, treated wood, green wood or other unsafe fuels in your fireplace.

• Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand and don’t leave a fire unattended or still burning at bedtime.

“Please check on neighbors who may be resorting to unsafe heating methods,” he said. “We want to make sure that everyone stays safe as well as warm.”

Stewart said he and other county fire departments and emergency services are working with county commissioners and city workers to be able to access any emergency situation as needed.

“Don’t take unnecessary risks in your home or on the road, but if an emergency does happen, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately,” he said.

“We will find a way to get to you.”

One bright side is that Monday is a President’s Day, a holiday for many offices and businesses.

“Another great reason to spend the day at home,” Slezickey said.

Rising utility costs are also coinciding with the colder temps.

“We anticipate our generation plant to run, as natural gas prices are skyrocketing,” he said. “Gas supply is being consumed for heating at a higher rate than available. Natural gas was $3 per BTU Wednesday, and hit over $100 per BTU Thursday morning at 10:30 and is still climbing.

“ I anticipate higher utility bills with the power cost adjustment tariff increasing bills due to gas pricing, and coupling that with higher ONG bills for the same reason next month.

“We will work payment plans with our KPWA customers as needed,” he said.