More than a quarter million homes and businesses lost power when a powerful ice storm swept through Oklahoma Sunday and Monday.
That has triggered a massive response from both public and private agencies, including several city and county governments and the
Public Service Company of Oklahoma, or PSO, the area's largest provider of electricity.
The company estimates 265,000 customers lost power statewide, about 142,000 in northeastern Oklahoma.
Roughly 129,000 of those are in the Tulsa metropolitan area.
PSO spokeswoman Andrea Chancellor told 2NEWS Monday morning that customers without power should call 1-888-216-3523.
She said customers without power need to activate their personal emergency plans, as it could take a week to ten days to restore power to everyone.
The American Red Cross offers several tips to help cope with the power outages:
1. Necessary items:
Flashlight
Batteries
Portable radio
At least 1 gallon of water
A small food supply (non-perishable)
2. Important safety tips:
Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting, NEVER use candles
Turn off anything that was running when the power went out
Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer
Generators can pose several serious dangers if used improperly.
Safety experts warn to never operate a generator inside the home.
Also, be sure to plug any equipment you want to run directly into the generator; do not connect the generator to the home's electrical system.
Official response
Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor issued a statement early Monday, saying that "everyone is allocating resources towards getting the city moving as quickly as possible and roadways cleared."
By 11:00 p.m. Sunday, the 911 center had fielded more than 3,000 calls for police and 800 calls for the fire department.
Fire broke out in homes all over the city. TFD reported responding to as many as 30 house fires.
Causes varied from improper use of candles to fires sparked by blown transformers.
The police department has doubled its normal strength, with more than 100 uniformed officers on duty.
The city has also opened tow emergency shelters downtown, one at Third Street and South Cincinnati Avenue, the other at 102 North Denver Avenue.
Meanwhile, city road crews have worked rapidly to try and clear all arterial streets of fallen trees and limbs.
Citizens wishing to report fallen limbs or trees on roadways can call 596-9711.
Those needing non-emergency assistance with other matters can call 211.
Other shelters and relief efforts
Other cities have also set up shelters and activated their emergency operation centers.
Broken Arrow spokesman Keith Sterling says the city has dumped nearly 250 tons of sand and 100 tons of salt on bridges and overpasses.
He says trees have damaged at least a dozen homes, and he expects that number to rise.
In Sand Springs, the city has set up a shelter at 420 Plaza Court.
The Collinsville shelter is at 1301 West Main.
Sapulpa's shelter is located at the First Baptist Church, 200 South Elm.
Nowata's fire department has set up a shelter for the elderly on South Cedar Street.
Owasso has set up two shelters, one at the Freedom Baptist Church, 96th Street North and 177th East Avenue, and the other at the First Christian Church, 12200 East 86th Street North.
The city of Mannford has a warming shelter at the ambulance station behind city hall, and the city library is also open.
Claremore's Red Cross shelter is located at the First United Methodist Church, 1615 North Highway 88; those who need a ride to the shelter can call 341-4233.
