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Snow was falling heavily early Saturday morning in the Altus area, but by noon, blue skies were seen and roadways were clearing. Motorists drove on snow and ice Saturday morning after clearing a heavy layer of snow from their vehicles.
The spring storm, which forecasters said could bring “unprecedented levels” of snow for late March, brought blizzard warnings to the northwest and tornado warnings to the southeast. The Winter Weather Advisory for Southwest Oklahoma ended at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Before temperatures could climb above freezing Saturday, snow fell blanketing fields and residential areas. Strong winds made the snow blow and drift, sometimes causing limited visibility. The roadways were too warm for the snow to stick, but slushy conditions did lead to some icy patches throughout the area.
While rain and sleet feel in the early afternoon on Friday, a former Altus man, Roy Fuqua, now of Granite, was involved in an accident with a semi. According to reports, Fuqua slid into a semi truck south of Granite due to icy conditions. Fuqua was transported to the Mangum hospital around 1 p.m. Friday with head and trunk injuries. He was treated and later released.
The storm system eventually shifted eastward out of the state and region Saturday, making way for more appropriate Spring conditions.
The system was a factor in a fatal accident in central Oklahoma about 30 other traffic collisions in northwestern Oklahoma, including one that left a truck driver critically injured.
There were a few minor traffic accidents in the Altus area due to the weather Friday, but thre were no serious injuries reported. However, there was a report of a rollover accident on Navajo Road Friday.
A truck driver was hospitalized in critical condition after his rig went out of control on rain-slicked U.S. 412 about 5 miles east of Enid in north-central Oklahoma Friday, OHP spokesman Chris West said. The vehicle overturned and the driver was pinned for an hour before he could be freed.
Gov. Brad Henry declared a state of emergency for much of Oklahoma, allowing state agencies to make emergency purchases to deal with the storm and starting the process of seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.
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