A crippling winter storm shuttered schools, businesses and many churches and other activities.

The storm moved into the Purcell area around 7 p.m. last Friday night, and before it ended with flurries as late as Sunday morning, dumped anywhere from six to at least eight inches of snow in the Heart of Oklahoma.

The highest total reported in the state was in Sayre with 14”. A swath just west and north of Oklahoma City had the most double digit totals from El Reno to Ponca City.

Not only was there a travel stopping amount of snow, but wind chills dropped below zero to nearly 20 below in some cases with actual temperatures as low as one degree above zero.

City of Purcell, ODOT and McClain County crews put in countless hours working on streets and highways, trying to get the motoring public back in business.

Aside from the moisture the area desperately needs, the best news about the winter storm was there were no reported injuries and no one in the area lost electric power.

The brutal winter storm forced postponement of the Purcell Municipal Hospital’s Gala at The Grand Canadian Theater.

Originally scheduled for January 24, thanks to Mother Nature, the event had to be moved to February 7.

The event is from 6:30 to 10 p.m. and will feature a silent auction and a 50/50 dance game that can be entered by purchasing $10 strands of beads.