At the request of Governor Mary Fallin, who is in Washington D.C., Lt. Governor Todd Lamb Monday declared a State of Emergency for 56 Oklahoma counties due to the winter storm. "The winter storm has already caused dangerous travel conditions in northwest Oklahoma as well as sub-freezing temperatures," said Lamb. "I am urging Oklahomans in the impacted areas to take winter storm precautions and stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary. This is a very serious winter storm and we want Oklahomans to stay safe." The Executive Order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness. It is also a first step toward seeing federal disaster assistance should it become necessary.