Tulsa, OK – City of Tulsa responds to winter weather, prepares for extreme cold temperatures next week with resources for homelessness and warming stations
The City of Tulsa is actively responding to winter weather moving through the area, with city street crews preparing brine trucks overnight to treat elevated surfaces with a salt/water mixture. This preventive measure is designed to stop snowmelt from freezing. Currently, road temperatures and traffic conditions have kept all of Tulsa’s main roads passable.
While the City is responsible for clearing snow and ice from arterial streets, major highways such as I-44, I-244, and the Creek Turnpike fall under the responsibility of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. The City treats the Gilcrease and L.L. Tisdale Expressways. For more details on snow and ice routes, residents can visit www.cityoftulsa.org/winterpreparedness.
With extreme cold expected next week, the City is working with the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency (TAEMA) and other community partners to mobilize resources. Life-threatening cold is forecasted to begin Monday night, continuing through Thursday, with wind chill values potentially dropping into negative double-digits. Exposure to these temperatures could lead to frostbite and hypothermia.
Residents are encouraged to stay inside when possible, check on neighbors, and stay prepared both at home and while traveling. For additional safety tips, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/weather.
Outreach teams from Housing Solutions Tulsa will begin on Sunday to ensure people experiencing homelessness know about available warm spaces. Currently open warming stations include: Salvation Army, 102 N. Denver Ave., Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St. (Pets allowed, limited capacity), John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne Ave., and Denver Avenue Station, 319 S. Denver Ave., opening February 18-20. New emergency shelter locations will be announced publicly on Housing Solutions’ Winter Weather Resources page.
In case of emergencies, residents are urged to call 911 for urgent medical or safety concerns. To request outreach assistance, individuals can fill out an Outreach Request Form for help.
Those who wish to help can donate winter gear, such as warm blankets, hats, gloves, and socks, at the Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer. Monetary donations to local shelters provide flexible support where it’s most needed.
From February 18-20, all Metro Link Tulsa rides will be free, and Denver Avenue Station will serve as a warming station during this period.