Read below for the most recent update from Muskogee County Emergency Management:
Muskogee County Emergency Management
⚠️⚠️UPDATE⚠️⚠️
Muskogee County, Okla. – Water continues to raise throughout Muskogee County creating hazardous conditions and historic levels of flooding.
This morning, Muskogee County Emergency Management in partnership with the City of Muskogee Emergency Management met with community leaders and State Officials to update them about current situations in Muskogee County. Shelters remain open at Warrior Gym at Bacone College and in Warner at Church in the Word. A Shelter in the Woodall area is now open at the Crescent Valley Church, located at 25641 South Crescent Valley Road. This Shelter was set up to help service the Fort Gibson area. Evacuations are still being recommended for flood-prone areas and areas near the Arkansas River.
Water levels are closely being monitored at Interstate 40, and Highway 69, but at this time they remain open. The Highway 69 bridge over the Arkansas River is closed to southbound traffic. Highway 10, Highway 64, Highway 62, Highway 104, and Highway 72 remained closed in areas near the Arkansas River. High water now covers many county roads leading to and around the Arkansas River and surrounding areas. Motorists are asked to avoided these areas and never drive into high water.
Traffic control signage has been deployed to guide motorists safely around major closures on highways. Travelers are advised to consider alternate routes or allow additional time to travel known flood-prone areas. Regardless, all motorists are urged to be patient, reduce speed and exercise added caution throughout Muskogee County and along flood-prone areas – as traffic patterns and travel times will likely be affected.
Motorists should avoid affected areas, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in affected areas, obey the posted signs, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for high waters, responders/workers, and equipment. Campgrounds, boat docks and popular destinations for the memorial day weekend are either underwater or not accessible. If you are in an area that is not yet affected by flooding, please leave now. The Town of Fort Gibson has issued an evacuation order for areas west of Lee Street in the Town of Fort Gibson. Questions about that order should be directed to the Town of Fort Gibson.
OG&E is still working on power outages. Portions of Fort Gibson should have power again sometime this evening. Braggs will not likely have power until the water recedes. Anyone affected is asked to call OG&E at 1-800-272-9741.
Rumors of water pumping stations being turned off are untrue. There is no plan to stop pumping stations. Swift water recuse teams from all over Oklahoma are arriving in Muskogee and are on standby should the need arise.
Teams from the Oklahoma National Guard, US Army Corp of Engineers, the US Coast Guard, and Cherokee Nation are on standby and ready to assist with efforts in Muskogee County. A Sheriff’s Deputy and an ambulance with the crew have been assigned to the Town of Braggs, as it is currently cut off with no way into or out of the town. Emergency personnel is being boated in and out.
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