Ice Storm in Oklahoma, December 12 to 13, 2000

An artic air mass spilled southward out of the central plains and into the lower Mississippi Valley. This cold, surface airmass, was overrun by a warm and humid air mass which combined with a strong upper level storm system across west Texas. The result was widespread rain across southeast Oklahoma, most of which became freezing rain. Sleet and light snow accompanied the freezing rain and in the aftermath of the storm, ice accumulations of two to four inches were common. Much of the county lost electrical power due to ice covered power lines breaking under the wight of the ice, or ice covered tree limbs falling onto power lines and snapping them. Numerous traffic accidents were also reported across the county as ice covered roads and bridges played havoc with travel. Many homes suffered damage from fallen trees and tree limbs. As a result, the Oklahoma governor declared a state of emergency for McCurtain county.