From winter storms and tornadoes to wildfires and flooding, 2025 was marked by an extraordinary range of emergency incidents across Okmulgee County, requiring constant coordination, rapid response and strong partnerships from OCEM Directory Jeffrey Moore and the Okmulgee County Emergency Management team. — February winter storm creates major highway impacts The year’s first major test came in February when a winter weather system brought snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures to the region. Road conditions deteriorated rapidly, resulting in approximately 212 vehicles becoming backed up along U.S. Highway 75, stretching from the City of Okmulgee north to the county line.
At the same time, Interstate 40 experienced closures due to hazardous driving conditions, significantly impacting travel across the county. Emergency Management coordinated closely with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to monitor conditions and support response operations.
To improve roadway safety, Emergency Management coordinated with all three Okmulgee County Commissioner Districts to supplement ODOT sand trucks, deploying county resources along U.S. Highway 75 and Interstate 40. The coordinated effort helped stabilize conditions until roads could safely reopen.
— March tornadoes impact Henryetta, Morris The first week of March brought severe weather once again as four EF-1 tornadoes touched down in areas near Henryetta and Morris. Emergency Management coordinated response efforts, including damage assessments and communication with local first responders, as crews cleared debris and evaluated impacts to homes, utilities and infrastructure.
— Hurricane-force winds fuel wildfires
Later in March, hurricane-force winds swept across Okmulgee County, creating extreme fire danger conditions. The winds fueled multiple wildfires throughout the county, stretching firefighting resources and requiring close coordination between Emergency Management and volunteer fire departments to protect rural communities and critical infrastructure.
— Spring brings historic rains, flooding
As fire conditions subsided, historic spring rains set in, leading to widespread flooding concerns. Emergency Management monitored waterways, coordinated road closures and issued public safety messaging as multiple county roads were overtopped by floodwaters. Residents were urged to avoid driving through flooded areas as conditions changed rapidly.
— OCEM continues response through summer, fall Throughout the summer and fall, Emergency Management continued to support responses to grass fires, severe storms and other incidents while also focusing on preparedness, public outreach and training with partner agencies. Planning, mitigation projects and floodplain management remained ongoing priorities.
— Looking Ahead to 2026
Reflecting on the year, Jeffrey Moore, Director of Okmulgee County Emergency Management, said the wide range of incidents underscored both the challenges and progress made in 2025.
“2025 tested our county in nearly every way possible, from winter storms and tornadoes to wildfires and historic flooding,” Moore said. “The accomplishments this year are a direct result of strong partnerships with our county districts, municipalities, first responders and state agencies. As we look ahead to 2026, our focus will be on improving the Okmulgee County with a mass notification system and expanding preparedness activities so residents have timely information and are better prepared before emergencies happen.”
From highway coordination during winter storms to disaster response and long-term planning, Okmulgee County Emergency Management closed 2025 with a renewed emphasis on readiness, communication and community resilience heading into the new year.
