ICE STORM UPDATE!!

Graphic courtesy of NWS Tulsa. Models continue to show a slower, more northerly track. IF this verifies, that would put Tulsa under the gun for another historic ice storm!! Sperry-Piltx index of 4 to 5 through the Tulsa area. Please make preparations today...

Models are showing that temps at the surface will be below 32F while there will be a warm layer aloft that will in turn make rain instead of snow. That's the short version.

If you live in Oklahoma, be sure to stay tuned to media!!!
It's coming!!!
Jeff

ICE STORM COMING!!!!

I POSTED THIS ON OUR EXTREME CHASE TOUR BLOG EARLIER. PLEASE READ & TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS NOW!!





Ok, here is one of the factors of this impending winter storm that has us here at ECT alarmed. The possibility of a crippling ice storm is a real threat across NE Oklahoma Thursday into Friday. This chart is the Sperry-Piltz ice index forecast from the NWS Tulsa and is a forecast of the possible ice storm impacts. This could rival the ice storm of 2007 but before you mets climb all over me, just listen. The ice forecast might not be the 2.0-2.5" of ice that we recieved in 2007 but .75-1.00" of ice combined with post-frontal winds of 15-25 M.P.H. will provide the same results. Catastrophic damage is possible.

Props to Lanny Dean and David Moran for calling this ice storm several days ago!!

Further to the northwest of the ice storm, very heavy and possibly record-breaking snow is possible. I just looked at the 06z NAM and it shows a 24" swath in central to north-central Oklahoma with 12" plus likely into the Tulsa area!! Not sure if 24" will verify, but the possibility is note worthy. Now combine the heavy snow with 15-25 M.P.H. winds and you will have white-out conditions.

Area emergency management agencies are already on alert and have industrial generators pre-placed along with truckloads of water to equip shelters that likely will be needed during and after this storm.

Please check on your neighbors and the elderly regularly.

Please listen to local media and keep track of our blog for further updates.

Lanny and I will likely be out during the storm streaming on ChaserTV so you don't have to get out in it.

PLEASE BE READY FOR THIS STORM!!

Chaser-fest update!!!!

The Tulsa Chaser-fest is only 2 days away!! We are in final prep mode for this inaugural event. ALSO--Thanks to Mickey Ptak, we will have a number of copies of the famous Storms of 2008 charity DVD available for sale!!! The proceeds from this DVD goes to storm victims across the country. I am excited to be able to offer these at our event!! I have put a link to the left for the SO2008 website so you can order your copy today if you can't be at our event!!


On another note, more than 300,000 residents of Arkansas are without power due to the historical ice storm that just went through. Please pray for them and all of the workers facing the fight of their lives!! Quite possibly Mission of Compassion 6 will be in order so stay tuned to the ol' blog!!

Behold, the Iceman cometh....and an update on the Tulsa Chaser-fest

Everything from Winter Storm Watches all the way to Ice Storm Warnings are posted for the area. Please be prepared for this storm as it has potential to be a devastating storm. I don't think that it will have the impact of the infamous storm of 2007, but it could be close, especially in areas about 50 miles southeast of a line from Tulsa to Joplin, Mo. Looks like precip is starting on the OKC area now........

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I just spoke with Lanny, and the chaser-fest is still on and hopefully will have lots of chasers attend! As I said in an earlier post, Lanny will be speaking about his life-changing Greensburg experience, and I will talk about the Mission of Compassion. George Flickinger will be there and also will speak, and a host of other friends will be there. There will be a chaser car show, and you, the chaser gets to vote for the best all around chase-mobile! The winner will get a Storms of 2008 DVD, a DVD produced by chasers for the benefit of the victims!! Of course we will be showing lots of chaser video---bring your best stuff to brag on!!! Come on out, and have a great time with us!!!

Location of the chaser-fest is at the Catoosa Community Center. Info & map is here .

It is this Saturday, January 31st from nood until 8:00pm or until everyone gets tired of each other & splits...lol

Yuck!!

Ok, I'll spare you the details of my latest experience....stomach flu....yuck!!

I am back among the living, and feeling much better. I hear that there are multiple "bugs" going around so be careful everyone!

In other news......looks like a massive cold front on the way Sunday afternoon/evening followed ny multiple rounds of "wintry precip" which means...look out!! Maybe another ice storm in the making???? Anyway, everyone make sure you have plenty of stuff on hand just in case!! I know I'll be going to the store this weekend to stock up!

Day 6 without power........

I am growing tired and impatient with my electric company. I understand that the linemen and crews are doing all that they can, but I am disappointed with the administration. VVEC started with 9,000 homes without power last Monday, and I heard that on Friday that they were down to 5,000. I also heard that my house may be back on by Wednesday! And others will be dark until Dec. 23rd!!! About half of my addition is back online but I have the line down in my backyard.......
I actually got some good rest last night....about 6 hours of sleep.

It is misting/snowing right now, some call it "snizzle". I am prepared, I bought a Poulan chainsaw yesterday so I can now vent my frustration & stress out on the poor fallen trees:)

Please understand, I am extremely proud of our electric crews, especially those that came from other areas, but my rural company I am extremely dissatisfied with. Crews have been in my neighborhood, so I ask while they are out here, why can't they repair my line? What is their strategy? Most of the time, you cannot even get through to VVEC........I wonder if my bill was late would they tolerate my phone being constantly busy? Or would they simply disconnect my service?

In the dark........

Extreme emotions....

Day 5 without power at my house.......

Well, after working every day at work, then going home and working on different solutions to the electricity situation, I am exhausted. I have went from being totally satisfied with my electric company, to being totally upset with them, and back again. As I made my way home, I saw lights on in my neighborhood but when I got home, I realized that power was on across the street, but my side is still dark due to lines down (see picture back a few entries).

I have spent probably in excess of a thousand dollars this week trying to provide for my family when I probably should have simply went to the Claremore shelter......stubborn, I guess but I fear for my property and my animals.......

The awesome thing is that I have gotten closer to God. It is amazing when everything is quiet how one can hear His voice more clearly. I have been up in the wee hours each day of this disaster just spending time alone with Him.

As I drove to work this morning, I saw several Pike Electric trucks heading into Tulsa. I honked, and rolled my window down & gave them all thumbs up. I also cried a little too maybe due to the stress, maybe due to my just being thankful that they are here. . I know that they weren't headed for my home, but they have left the comfort of their homes and families to help others in a time of of need. Sure they are getting paid for it, but I think they deserve it. So, for the few of you that read this (thanks, mom!), when you see an electric truck, honk & give them thumbs up!!

The culprit.....

Well, here is the scoop....this is the transformer that feeds my home.....power company says maybe next week:-0 More later....