Winter Weather Information - January 2024

UPDATE, POSTED 11:53 A.M. 1/22/24: The Division of Solid Waste Collection reports that conditions have not improved enough to run routes today. Safety of customers and staff remains the topmost priority. Trash collection services are now expected to be delayed by one day this week, as has been announced for recycling services: Customers regularly serviced on Monday will be serviced Tuesday, those regularly serviced Tuesday will be serviced Wednesday, those regularly serviced Wednesday will be serviced Thursday, those regularly serviced Thursday will be serviced Friday, and those regularly serviced Friday will be serviced Saturday.

 

UPDATE, POSTED 9:32 A.M. 1/22/24: The Department of Parks & Recreation has reported a newly delayed start time for indoor Westwood Tennis today: 3 p.m. All recreation centers – Whittier, Irving, Little Axe and 12th Avenue – are closed today, so open gym time and scheduled classes at these facilities have all been canceled.

 

UPDATE, POSTED 6:51 A.M. 1/22/24: Slick and icy conditions are being reported across the community. Norman Public Works crews are treating roadways locally, but delaying travel is recommended if possible.

If travel cannot be delayed, drivers should use extreme caution. See helpful links and tools below.

Cancelations of public meetings scheduled for today have occurred. Check the latest at the City's Meeting Calendar.

 

UPDATE, POSTED 12:10 A.M. 1/22/24: 

  • Opening of the Norman City Hall campus (Municipal Complex) — to include City Hall, Municipal Court and the Development Center — will be delayed until noon on 1/22/24. 
  • Recycling pickup will not run 1/22/24, per contractor Republic Services. Recycling services for the week are intended to be delayed by one day for all customers — those regularly serviced on Monday will be serviced Tuesday, those regularly serviced Tuesday will be serviced Wednesday, those regularly serviced Wednesday will be serviced Thursday, those regularly serviced Thursday will be serviced Friday, and those regularly serviced Friday will be serviced Saturday.
    • Normal trash pickup by City of Norman staff is still occurring as regularly scheduled, though delays may be experienced.
  • The Adult Wellness & Education Center will not open until noon 1/22/24 and lunch services by Aging Services have been canceled. Learn more at healthylivingnorman.com.
  • Public transit routes via Embark will begin 1/22/24 with Winter Weather Detours in effect. Learn more at https://go.embarkok.com/alerts.
  • Westwood Tennis will be closed until 1 p.m. 1/22/24; Westwood Golf is closed 1/22/24.

 

UPDATE, POSTED 10:35 A.M. 1/21/24: A Hazardous Weather Outlook is in effect for the Norman community, with a Winter Weather Advisory slated to begin this evening, per the National Weather Service (NWS). Individuals should slow down and use caution while driving, and prepare for possible power outages. 

Property owners are reminded to protect water pipes by opening cabinet doors to allow room temperature to reach pipes under cabinets. For homes that have crawl spaces or basements with exposed pipes, allowing a trickle of water to drip from indoor faucets – no larger than that of the diameter of the lead in a pencil – is recommended. Since temperatures are not expected to be below 20 degrees F, it is only recommended to allow a small drip from indoor faucets for homes that have crawl spaces or basements with exposed pipes. Disconnecting water hoses and placing covers on outdoor faucets is also recommended. Know where your shut-off is.

  • Report water concerns or outages to the City of Norman at 405-329-0703 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or to 405-321-1600 any other time. Report other utility concerns or outages to your household providers such as OGE, OEC, OERB or ONG. Dial 911 if there is an emergency.

Solid Waste routes are expected to run as normally scheduled on Monday 1/22/24. Carts should be at the curb by 7 a.m. for applicable customers. Any routes that become inaccessible or are delayed due to weather conditions will be made up at the earliest convenience. Direct questions to 405-329-1023.

Public Works crews are monitoring weather conditions; staff remains on call for service as conditions allow and warrant.

Information on how to sign up for local emergency alerts via Alert Norman by phone call, text or email can be found here. Additional tips, reminders and helpful links can be found below. Relevant updates regarding city operations due to incoming weather will be posted to this webpage.

 

UPDATE, POSTED 1:25 P.M. 1/11/24: Due to the anticipated forecast, the 2024 Interfaith Breakfast as part of MLK Day activities on January 15 has been postponed. Information on its rescheduling will be announced at a later date. The Human Rights Commission and City of Norman thank interested community members for their continued support of this event and wish everyone a safe MLK Day.

The MLK Day Camp that was scheduled to be hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department on 1/15/24 has also been canceled.

The Westwood Golf Course will be closed 1/13/24 through 1/15/24.

 

UPDATE, POSTED 11:15 A.M. 1/10/24: Due to the anticipated weather forecast, community park cleanups as part of MLK Day activities on January 15 have been postponed to January 27 and January 28, 2024. Online signup information for interested parties will be forthcoming.

Streets Division staff will begin pre-treatment of roadways tomorrow 1/11/24 in advance of forecast winter weather. Staff remains on standby for additional services as this event begins development.

 

POSTED 1/9/24: City of Norman staff continue to monitor winter weather conditions, as severe temperatures may be experienced in our area in days to come. See the latest at Norman, OK (weather.gov).

Information regarding City operations, resources and general preparedness can be found below. Relevant updates to this situation as they relate to the City of Norman will be made available to the community at this webpage.

 

CITY OPERATIONS

  • Necessary equipment for pre-treatment and treatment of roads, as conditions warrant, is prepared and staff remains on standby. In the event of hazardous road conditions, travelers are reminded to plan extra time to reach their destinations and maintain a safe distance from heavy equipment in operation.
  • Solid Waste routes are expected to run as normally scheduled. Any rural routes that become inaccessible will be made up at the earliest convenience. Direct questions to 405-329-1023.
  • Parks restrooms are intended to be closed toward the end of the week in anticipation of incoming weather. Staff expects to reopen them mid-January after extended below-freezing temperatures have passed.

 

TRANSIT SERVICES

  • Impacts to public transit in Norman as they may relate to winter weather can be found at embarkok.com.
  • Changes to Norman On-Demand services will be sent via app notifications.

 

WATER PIPES & UTILITY INFORMATION

  • Property owners are reminded to protect water pipes by opening cabinet doors to allow room temperature to reach pipes under cabinets. For homes that have crawl spaces or basements with exposed pipes, allowing a trickle of water to drip from indoor faucets – no larger than that of the diameter of the lead in a pencil – is recommended. Disconnecting water hoses and placing covers on outdoor faucets is also recommended. Know where your shut-off is.
    • Report water concerns or outages to the City of Norman at 405-329-0703 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or to 405-321-1600 any other time. Report other utility concerns or outages to your household providers such as OGE, OEC, OERB or ONG. Dial 911 if there is an emergency.

 

SAFETY TIPS & PREPAREDNESS

  • Information on how to sign up for local emergency alerts via Alert Norman by phone call, text or email can be found here.
  • Information on statewide emergency alerts for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals via OK-WARN can be found here.
  • Emergency Management officials advise layering clothing and protecting skin and eyes from extreme elements if at all possible, as there is extreme danger associated with prolonged cold exposure.
  • See Winter Weather Preparedness tips, to include the packing of emergency kits and generator safety reminders, at oklahoma.gov or ready.gov/winter-weather.
  • See information about animal safety in cold weather through the American Veterinary Medical Association here.
  • Remember to:
    • Always clear your vehicle of ice and snow before driving on a roadway. Visibility is key for safe driving.
    • Never leave your vehicle unlocked or unattended while it is warming up.
    • Dial 911 in emergency situations. Dial 405-321-1444 for assistance from first-responders in a non-emergency situation.

 

FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INFORMATION

  • Commercial and multi-family housing structures may have wet Fire Suppressions Systems. These systems can freeze when heat to a building is turned too low, turned off, or if there is a loss of power. To help prevent freezing or bursting pipes, property owners are advised to turn on heaters in riser rooms if they exist and to keep air circulating. Know where your shut-off is.

 

SHELTER INFORMATION

  • The City of Norman Warming Shelter – A Friend’s House, operated by Food & Shelter – at 109 W. Gray Street remains open nightly, beginning at 7 p.m. The Food & Shelter day facility at 201 Reed Avenue will be available 24/7 beginning January 11 and until further notice. See operator updates here.
  • A list of other shelters or community resources can be found at here. Individuals in need can also dial 1-800-REDCROSS or 211.

 

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