The U.S. state of Oklahoma on Monday declared a state of emergency for 56 counties due to a winter storm and the severe weather.

Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb, at the request of Governor Mary Fallin, issued an executive order that allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness, according to a report on the news website newson6. com.

"The winter storm has already caused dangerous travel condition in northwest Oklahoma as well as sub-freezing temperatures," said Lamb, urging Oklahomans in the impacted areas "to take winter storm precautions and stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary."

A powerful winter storm with blizzard conditions moved into the state on Monday morning, prompting the closure of all highways in the Oklahoma Panhandle, where wind gusts and heavy snow have created whiteout conditions.

Blizzard conditions again descended on the midsection of the United States on Monday, bringing hurricane-force winds to the Texas Panhandle, closing highways in Texas and Oklahoma, and putting already snow-covered parts of Kansas on high alert as the day progressed.

Airports in the Texas Panhandle were reportedly closed and National Guard units were mobilizing to assist stranded motorists as a winter storm blankets the region with a foot of snow in some places.

In the Texas Panhandle, wind gusts up to 65 mph and heavy snow have made all roads impassable and created whiteout conditions, and state troopers are unable to respond to calls for assistance.

Authorities have closed Interstate 40 from New Mexico to Oklahoma, and portions of Interstate 27 between Amarillo and Lubbock.

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