On Friday, Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for all 77 of Oklahoma’s counties, warning of hazardous conditions from an approaching extreme winter season storm. He activated the Nationwide Guard, posted a video message warning of “hazardous chilly,” and in a news launch asked Oklahomans to “make sure you heed the advice of community safety and transportation officials.”
Then he and his household still left the point out for the ski slopes of New Mexico.
As to start with noted by The Shed Ogle and verified by a spokesperson, the governor expended the weekend out of point out.
“Like several Oklahomans, Governor Stitt labored remotely this weekend while on a beforehand planned excursion to New Mexico with his household and has considering that returned safely to Oklahoma,” claimed Stitt spokesperson Carly Atchison in a Monday assertion. The industry experts at ODEMHS (Oklahoma Section of Unexpected emergency Management and Homeland Security), ODOT (Oklahoma Division of Transportation) and OHP (Oklahoma Freeway Patrol), as properly as other state and regional organizations, are undertaking an amazing career holding Oklahomans risk-free and educated, thanks in substantial aspect to the all-virtual Condition Unexpected emergency Functions Heart, and Governor Stitt will continue on to thoroughly assist their endeavours.”
Stitt’s holiday break flew in the face of warnings issued by each of those agencies last 7 days about the harsh winter temperature that killed a Tulsa guy on Thursday.
“Keep warm, stay harmless, & keep off the roads!” ODEMHS tweeted Friday shortly following the unexpected emergency declaration.
“The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is encouraging all residents to keep house throughout the upcoming wintertime weather conditions celebration,” said Colonel Brent Sugg, Main of the Freeway Patrol, in a push release issued by the governor’s office. “While we will be ready to rescue stranded motorists, people rescues are perilous, not only for the motoring public but our troopers and other initial responders as well. Remaining at household ensures your security and the safety of others.”
Also in the governor’s information launch, Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz stated, ““We want to thank those motorists who heeded the call this earlier week to delay travel throughout the top of the ice storm, but the require to continue to be off highways and interstates will be even greater this weekend. Even after we obvious a highway, it could grow to be impassable within an hour or a lot less, depending on problems. We implore Oklahomans to program ahead and keep off roadways the moment the storm commences.”
The governor’s nonessential vacation to an additional condition also flouts COVID-19 suggestions from the CDC (“Instances are Extremely Large. Steer clear of Travel”) and his possess state well being section (“Community wellbeing officials advocate you stay house as much as attainable, especially if your vacation is not necessary”).
The state of New Mexico’s COVID-19 direction tells site visitors they are “strongly encouraged to self-quarantine for a time period of 14 days and to look for out a COVID-19 check upon their arrival in or return to New Mexico.” Stitt did not self-quarantine, showing in general public a lot of moments in the 14 times preceding his vacation. It is unclear if he sought out a take a look at in New Mexico.