I tried to go to work...

[barryrules]

The university didn't close today, so before getting in the shower I went out to start the truck and get it de-icing. In order to de-ice a truck there are certian steps you must follow:

1. Walk to the truck - which is easier said than done when your husband left your truck parked infront of the barn and not up by the house.

2. Unlock truck - accomplished by using remote

3. Get in truck - This is where it got tricky because my door is covered in a sheet of ice, can't even lift the handle! But I'm smart so I go to get in the truck from the passenger side which is facing south. It's a no-go too! The door handle lifted, but door will NOT open.

4. Take your husbands vehicle instead since he let his run the day before to de-ice the windshield. Nice idea, but it's a no go as it was frozen back over.

Since I totally failed at something so easy as getting into a vehicle this morning, I opted to just call in to work.

How is everyone else fairing in this lovely icy weather??

[BigBadBen]

I pried the doors open on both vehicles about 6:30. I started them up, cranked the defrost on high and let them run for about 15 minutes.

Then I went back out & scraped (chipped) off all the ice.

The roads down here, were wet, but not frozen.

Deicing was worse than driving.

[cactusjack]

I got up at 1am....went in at 2:30am....and got done about an hour ago. Roads in OKC are slushy, and look bad, but are really not that bad....lots of bad drivers out there though.

[pistolpete2002]

Well, I didn't have any problem getting in and starting my truck because it's in the garage. But, I did have to hammer my garage door a little bit because it was frozen to the ground!!!!

[Pokes4Life]

Well I got stuck in Stillwater last night after the wrestling dual, so I just chalked up today to trying to get back down to OKC safely. Don't know if I will, but we'll see.

[OSUFan]

I had no problem with the roads but when I parked behind Morrill Hall and put my feet down I had no traction. From the car to the sidewalk between Morrill and the Business Building was extremely slick. I hope they get some sand or salt out there.

[panhandler62]

Ya'll be safe. This thing ain't over yet.

[Ivan]

raods in tulsa were rather nice at 8 a.m. I had to poor water on my door to get it open. Didn't take to long.

[barryrules]

Ivan, do you have power? My folks are without power, tried to get into to town to check on my Grandparents and were having trouble finding a way out due to down trees and power lines. Not sure if they got to my Grandparents or had to just go back home.

[Verb]

Last time I checked in with my mom in mid-town Tulsa, she still didn't have any power.

[barryrules]

The news just said there are 405,000 people in Oklahoma without power!

[Ivan]

Ivan, do you have power? My folks are without power, tried to get into to town to check on my Grandparents and were having trouble finding a way out due to down trees and power lines. Not sure if they got to my Grandparents or had to just go back home.

No, I do not. It seems half of Owasso has power the other half doesn't. My friend that lives out on 129th and 86th got their power back this morning. But I have another friend on 69th between 129th and 145th that does not have power.

So it seems to be hit in miss.

PSO is telling people in Tulsa area it may be 7 to 10 days before they get all the power back up. =\

[kpoke]

I have to be at work at 3. I'm dreading getting out and trying to de-ice my car! I still have electricity, thank goodness! It looks like Tulsa has more outages than OKC. The did have to shut down I 35 just north of I 240 because there are power lines down across the interstate. :(

[Verb]

I just talked to my mom and my son in Tulsa. They said her neighborhood (near Edison HS) looks like a bomb hit it--trees have just exploded and are all over the streets and yards. Mom has a huge branch on her roof. They haven't had power since early yesterday morning. My sisters--one at 36th and Florence and one at Swan Lake, also have no power and have downed trees and branches everywhere. Sounds like a big, fat mess.

[Ivan]

2 pics from my neighborhood

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e125/osuivan/tree1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e125/osuivan/tree2.jpg

[Pokevette]

I've got power at 91st and Yale, but I have two co-workers who live a half mile from me in different directions and they do not have power.

While power shortages are occuring frequently around town, it seems to be very "isolated" type issues rather then mass outages.

[Verb]

Wow, Ivan. Just wow. Looks like a war zone.

[Ivan]

Wow, Ivan. Just wow. Looks like a war zone.


Couple doors down a limb fells on a guys truck. the picture was blurry or I would of posted it.

When I was scraping the ice off my car, I heard branches cracking every min or so.

One of the managers here had one fall on her kids swing set and just crushed it. One came with in a foot from hitting their house. it's pretty bad.

[OSUFan]

I just talked to my mom and my son in Tulsa. They said her neighborhood (near Edison HS) looks like a bomb hit it--trees have just exploded and are all over the streets and yards. Mom has a huge branch on her roof. They haven't had power since early yesterday morning. My sisters--one at 36th and Florence and one at Swan Lake, also have no power and have downed trees and branches everywhere. Sounds like a big, fat mess.

Verb,

How are they staying warm? I'm worried about my parents. I'm going over tonight to light their fireplace but I can't imagine that would be enough warmth for two in their 80s.

[Ivan]

Verb,

How are they staying warm? I'm worried about my parents. I'm going over tonight to light their fireplace but I can't imagine that would be enough warmth for two in their 80s.

Unless they sleep in the living room, you are probably right.

[jakeman]

Power out at Midnight. No power = no heat, no water (we're on a welll). Lost half dozen sixty foot ponderosa pines, gone. Not a tree left on my 5 acres that isn't split. Had to chainsaw the driveway clear 3 times. $hit keeps falling and blocking the drive. I've had to fill the saw with gas three times. These are big limbs, really big.

Pulled limbs from on top of my company car, and my boat. Moved both out of harms way. Not sure of the damage.

No firewood. (Don't start, I've gotten it from the wife for over 24 hours)We're trying to burn the stuff I cut out of the drive, but it's covered with ice.

I've had about all of this $hit that I can take. Wearing me slick.

Went to Norman to eat at iHop and get some computer work done.
Finally got warm and dry, but it's probably not gonna last long.

I'll be cleaning up limbs and trees for 6 months. I'm sick about my tall pines and my big Redbud, that was right by my front door. It's always the prettiest tree on the place in the spring, but it's stripped down to the trunk. It's not gonna survive, and neither will the pines.

Did I mention I was sick of this $hit?

You people take care, really. Be careful out there if you are cleaning up. Icy tree limbs are a bitch to cut.

I'm give out. Beat, dead ass tired.

[jakeman]

When I was scraping the ice off my car, I heard branches cracking every min or so.



When the tops fell out of those pines, it sounded like cannon shots. Cottonwoods out by my pond are down across the neighbors fence. Cattle out. Mare and foal nowhere to be found.

I'd say I'm good on the falling water, rain or ice, for this year.

I took plenty of pics. I'll try to post some later.

Good grief. Uncle, I've had enough.

[Ivan]

someone get jake some beer and fire wood NOW!

Sorry to hear about all that man, especailly losing all your trees. Trees are really a investment, and it's sad to see them go down like that =\

My dad lost 2 of his back yard trees as well.

[AlwaysOrange]

We live in NE Edmond and were without power from 8:00pm -1:00am last night. Fortunately we have a fireplace insert and had a fire going most of the day so it stayed warm. Like the previous poster, when we don't have power, we also don't have water.

I-35 to the Kilpatrick wasn't too bad this morning....at 25MPH. However the nerds speeding by had me irritated. I know I got to work this morning, just hope they did too.

My husband called about 2:00pm and he had been by the house and said we had one of our bartlett pears split. We live on about an acre with lots of trees so if that is the only one we lose, I'll be happy.

Everyone....be safe....and check on your loved ones who might need assistance.

[MemphisPoke]

Man I feel for you guys over there. So far it is skirting us to the north and they are saying we will stay well above freezing in the Mid-South.

Been there and done that and have the T-shirt. Memphis....about 6-7years ago. Lost trees, power lines down, no power for days and days.

Bad part was that down in old parts of Memphis they lost 150+ year old oaks and elms and such. What a mess.

Stay warm if you can and know that people are thinking about you and what you are going through.

:(:(

[Verb]

Verb,

How are they staying warm? I'm worried about my parents. I'm going over tonight to light their fireplace but I can't imagine that would be enough warmth for two in their 80s.

Mom has some gas logs in the fireplace of her family room. I think they're going to drag the couches right in front of that and try to sleep there. I'm a bit worried. My mom is 75 and a widow, but my son is staying at her house this semester, so thank goodness she's not alone. He just took both their cell phones to Borders to charge them so at least they can communicate with the world, and he's going to bring them both hot coffee.

What a mess.

[Ivan]

Mom has some gas logs in the fireplace of her family room. I think they're going to drag the couches right in front of that and try to sleep there. I'm a bit worried. My mom is 75 and a widow, but my son is staying at her house this semester, so thank goodness she's not alone. He just took both their cell phones to Borders to charge them so at least they can communicate with the world, and he's going to bring them both hot coffee.

What a mess.


That's good that your son is there for this. I'm just glad my grandma lives 2 blocks from my mom and my aunt. I think my 2 brothers are over there with her for the night.

[panhandler62]

My step daughter, in Del City, went out to survey the damage from falling tree limbs and one fell on her. She just got back from the hospital a few minutes ago.

I think she's mostly OK, don't have details yet. Dortha is on the phone with her now.

[AlwaysOrange]

Prayers being sent to her. I hope she is ok.

We have a couple of big limbs down now....which isn't anything compared to most. Hopefully it doesn't get worse.

[Ivan]

I just talked to my roommate, he said that our BIG tree int he back hard is half way down. *sigh*

[osujane]

I'm in Lawton, SW Okla. We have been fortunate so far.

Thoughts and prayers for everyone affected. I'm terribly sorry about the power outages and tree / property damage. Panhandler, hope your stepdaughter is ok.

[osutuba]

I talked to my mom this afternoon. She lives in Bristow, but I had to call her cell bc she had no power at home.

Just as we started talking, she heard one of her trees fell on the carport. She obviously didn't go to work today because of the weather.

I also talked with some other friends of mine and they filled me in on things. It is really bad out there, and I am actually glad I am not in OK.

Just for reference, it has been unseasonably warm today and likely will be all this week here in NC.

[barryrules]

No, I do not. It seems half of Owasso has power the other half doesn't. My friend that lives out on 129th and 86th got their power back this morning. But I have another friend on 69th between 129th and 145th that does not have power.

My Grandparents are in the 86th/129th area and mom said they lost power for a bit and got it back. My folks live out off 106th/166th. They have a fireplace, but if it gets too cold they could always go stay with my Grandparents.

Hope you get power back soon!

[SanditeCowboy]

We live in Sand Springs (just West of Tulsa) and the town looks dead. On my way home from work tonight there was 1 QT, Homeland, and a Sonic open. Everything else was dark, including our house since last night. Thank goodness for our fireplace, it has kept us warm. Getting out of the neighborhood was the worst part of getting to work today with trees and power lines across the roads!

[AnniePokely]

I can't believe you guys are going through all that... :( I hope the damage will be minimal for all of you, and your families as well.

It's 80 degrees here. I'd much rather be back in Oklahoma freezing my butt off while breaking ice for the horses. I don't guess we have had any damage at my house. If we have, they aren't telling me about it.


So, have you had the last wave? I'm not even getting any Okla weather here.

Take care. I'm thinking about all of you.

[Pokes4Life]

So we got back to our house yesterday afternoon. It's probably a good thing we stayed up in Stillwater Sunday night because we can't get through our driveway as there are about 8 large tree limbs in the way.

Luckily nothing had hit the house by then (who knows by now). And with no electricity, we decided to spend time at my mother's. It might even be up to 10 days for us to get power where we live from what others around us have heard.

There were about 8 power lines down in a row on NE 23rd between Choctaw and Harrah, so it's pretty bad.

[Ivan]

Well I stayed at a friends house last night. Went by to check on my parents, they still have no power. I went home and still no power there either (61st and mingo)

But I do have more pics...

This is my back yard, of what is left of our big ol' tree...

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e125/osuivan/myhouse2.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e125/osuivan/myhouse1.jpg


And here is a pic of a old tree at my parents house...

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e125/osuivan/parents.jpg

[Ivan]

My Grandparents are in the 86th/129th area and mom said they lost power for a bit and got it back. My folks live out off 106th/166th. They have a fireplace, but if it gets too cold they could always go stay with my Grandparents.

Hope you get power back soon!

I am glad to hear your parents are ok, along with your grandparents. Tell her Ian said hi!

[barryrules]

I am glad to hear your parents are ok, along with your grandparents. Tell her Ian said hi!

I'll let her know you said hello. I hope there isn't too much roof damage to your place from that tree falling.

[Ivan]

I'll let her know you said hello. I hope there isn't too much roof damage to your place from that tree falling.

it didn't look like it. But we probably wont know until we look 'under the hood'.

It's right above my roommates room, and I didn't see any water damage in his room. So I am hoping that it just bent the gutter.

[Verb]

Those are amazing pictures, Ian. (My son is named Ian, too! Great highland name!)

My heart is aching for all the people who are suffering this week, but gosh, my heart is aching for all those devastated trees, too.

[Ivan]

Those are amazing pictures, Ian. (My son is named Ian, too! Great highland name!)

My heart is aching for all the people who are suffering this week, but gosh, my heart is aching for all those devastated trees, too.

Thanks, I like my name, not a whole lot of people have it =]

Yea my dad is a big garden guy, so I grew up hearing about trees and all kinds of plants. And so I also think about all the trees we are going to lose. Except those bradford pear trees those things are ticking time bombs to fall apart with out the ice.

[Jonno]

Haven't had power at home since early Monday morning. I've called in both Monday and Tuesday because my office has been without power for the last two days. Had one tree limb graze my wife's car when it fell but no real damage. Its been a bad week to be a Bradford pear in my neighborhood. I actually have some water damage over my back porch due to the gutters completely freezing over and water getting backed up under the eaves but I think I've gotten that problem taken care of. It was down to 56 degrees in the house so I said 'screw this' and am spending the day at OSU - OKC while my wife takes her final exams.

Speaking of final exams good luck to all the students out there dealing with this crap during finals week. And good luck to everyone else just dealing with this crap. :D

[jakeman]

Got power back last night.

Crew was from La. LSU fans. Still limbs on feeder lines on the guy behind me. Couldn't get into where they were because it's still so wet. They dropped him off the line so they could get me and two others back on. So the neighbor is still screwed, but he doesn't live back there anymore. Just has livestock. Looks like he is going to be hauling water for a few more days. Guy said if the wind didn't blow I would be okay, but if the wind blew hard, or much snow got on the limbs it could take down the lines, and I was gonna be screwed. Took a hot shower for first time since Sunday, last night.

Electricity is a lot like oxygen, it just isn't that important, until you aren't getting any.

[AlwaysOrange]

Praise the Lord our power came back on around 5:30pm Wednesday!!!

I know we didn't have it near as bad as many others did, but it's funny how much you take advantage of something until you don't have it!! And we didn't have any damage to any our house or cars. We do have limbs down in our yard, but that will be easy to fix.

[GoPokes82sMom]

Well, just talked to my daughter, who has been w/o power since 3:45 am Monday morning, and OG&E is saying that because of all the downed trees, downed power lines to the houses, and the downed power lines that run from pole to pole in the neighborhood where my house is that my daughter and almost 2 y/o granddaughter live, that it will be two weeks before they can get power back to that neighborhood. Thank goodness it has gas heat and hot water heater. I left my propane gas grill (with the side gas burner) there, so she has a way of cooking for her and Lily. Shari said the tree my grandmother planted over 30 years ago is pretty much stripped of limbs now, one of her dogs was trapped under one of the big limbs that fell off that tree. The 50 year old pine tree beside the house has "spit" its huge tree size limbs all over my roof, the neighbors roof and patio roof, the side yard, the back yard, my wooden deck, and stockade fence. As one came crashing down it took the power lines down (now in the neighbors back yard) and the electric meter and pole ripped off the back of the house. Then when I thought things couldn't get any worse, the neighbor across the street uses Shari's cell phone to call and tell me that a huge frozen limb had my daughter trapped to the ground the limb was on her knees and back. The ambulance got there while we were talking, so she hung up. I knew they would take her to the VA hospital since she is a veteran, but it took me hours to get to talk to the right person to make sure she was there and give her a message to call me ASAP. When she called, she was in so much pain that I was hurting. They put her in an immobilizer for her knee and crutches to walk with. The neighbors with generators are being great to help her with Lily and keep food in their refrigerators. There is very little I can do from 1300 miles away, but if OG&E is right and it will take two weeks to get power back on, I'll be there since I'm heading back there on the 27th (two weeks from today). NO more!!! She has pics but can't send them until power is back.

Now the storm from Oklahoma is moving in on us here. Glad we could help taking it away for you guys there. Not really, but oh well! Be safe everyone.

[JimBob]

J.B. checking in from the "war zone" at 57th Pl. Power was out 63 1/2 hours, but who was counting? Came on last night at 9:30, but didn't get phone service until this a.m. Huge sweetgum tree in front took a major beating, but everything missed the house, and the gooner's house. Bradford is toast, fell on top of shed, but missed neighbor's house to west. Lost half of river birch in backyard; it's toast, but missed the new construction. Silver maple dropped huge limb while I was standing in the doorway to backyard (see poodle launch door); punctured porch roof. Another huge limb from maple fell and missed everything. Very fortunate to not have any damage to neighbors homes, etc.

I have lots of pics, will try to get some uploaded later.

[Pokes4Life]

I managed to clear my driveway during lunch today. I can now at least drive up to my house instead having to park at the entrance and hoofing it. Still no power though, but since I live in Harrah, I don't anticipate being high on the priority list.

I've got a lot of burning ahead of me, that much is clear.

[wickerbill]

We were lucky. Our power was only out for about 40 hours in Bixby. It was turned back on at 8:00 on Tuesday night. I was cleaning out the refrigerator, throwing away the food that had spoiled and then the refrigerator light came on. I didn't have any other lights turned on in the house so it took me about five seconds to realize what had happened. We still don't have cable or internet and most of the houses around us are still without power. There are lines down in the streets north of our house so it may be a while until they get power. Driving around town, the amount of destruction is crazy. I've never seen anything like it.

[Ivan]

well I have today and friday off, and I come home from my friends house, AND I HAVE POWER!!!!!!!