By Meghan McCormick and Peggy Laizure
A brutal winter storm slammed Cleveland and McClain counties Thursday causing schools and businesses to close and knocking out electrical power to hundreds of residents.
Norman Police instituted the slick roads policy which keeps officers from responding to non-injury crashes.
"We encourage the involved parties to exchange information," said Master Police Officer Jennifer Newell.
The winter storm moved through Slaughterville, Norman and Purcell Thursday afternoon leaving many residents without electricity.
"As far as I know, the whole town is without power," McClain County Sheriff Don Hewett said.
Hewett said about 7,000 people live in Purcell. The power outage was reported about 3 p.m.
Slaughterville Town Administrator Marcia Blair said Town Hall was running on a generator at the building and places throughout town are without power.
Blair said a downed power line was reported at U.S. 77 and Bryant. The line caught the tree branch on fire. It burned in two pieces, fell down and put itself out.
Power lines reportedly were arcing at 96th Avenue SE and Banner Road.
According to OG--E System Watch, 1,900 customers in Norman were without power at 4 p.m. Thursday. By 4:30 p.m., the Web site indicated electricity had been restored to all Norman customers.
All three University of Oklahoma campuses closed at noon Thursday and will remain closed today.
Cleveland County Commissioners held an emergency meeting Thursday morning. At the meeting, commissioners voted to close the courthouse and county offices at noon Thursday due to weather conditions. The courthouse and offices are expected to open at 1 p.m. today.
