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!!

101st post...

Looks like a rainy day today! The other day Dan had a 100% chance of rain for Wednesday. Well, looks like his forecast verified! We can use the rain & it should make for a very pretty fall here in NE Oklahoma in the next couple of weeks.

Our benefit garage sale went very well.....we raised over $1,700.00 for Mike and this will help him greatly! Thanks to all who were involved!! This year has really been a heavy time for me, but especially for Mike. I am looking forward to the day when his doctor declares him cancer free!! And then I will shave my playoff beard!! YAY!!!

I spoke with Lanny Dean earlier & he and I want to organize a chaser gathering, so stay tuned for an announcement about a gathering sometime in November, just to hang out & visit about the perils of chasing, share videos & pics, & have a little fun...

Lucky, in the snow....

This is my dog Lucky. Lucky likes everyone, but he doesn't like snow. I shot this the other night while it was snowing.....
Well, here in NE Okla we have dodged another bullet. South & East of me folks are gettin' hammered with hopefully the last winter storm o' the season:)

What a shot!

Here's my latest sunrise shot--1st one from 2008. No big news from here, just glad to get out of the deep freeze that we've been in for what seems like forever. 60s & 70s coming over the weekend with a chance for severe storms on Monday......better gather my chase gear!

cool sunrise pic...

I shot this Wednesday morning on the way to work.....I love the sunrises this time of year!

Back to normal.....

Well, it's been a whole day since my power came back on....and I am enjoying it. As I start to look at the damage and concentrate on cleaning up my yard, it will be a daunting task. My brother said he will bring his chainsaw & our family will come together & do cleanup. I am very blessed to have a wonderful family!!

Oh yeah, 4 days 'till Christmas!!

The sun will come out.....tomorrow........maybe

Day nine without power......VVEC says they don't know when power will be restored.....most of my neighbors now have power except for my side of the street.....

Ok, this is getting a little hard for my family. I start to wonder if we should have just taken a cruise or something (like I could afford that). Beginning to wonder about Christmas & how we will have money to pay the bills and buy the kids a little something for Christmas. We know that Christmas is not about presents, but we celebrate our Savior's birth by remembering why He had to come down here in the first place, and by giving gifts, because the best & most important Gift has already been given. Total expenses so far for keeping my family warm & fed-----about 1,200.00, give or take. But know this, we are better prepared when this happens again!

I could ramble about the problems I have had with VVEC, but it would not help the situation. What will help is what I already have, friends praying for me. I just got a message from a good friend & he said "I was just checking up on you & praying for you." Brother, you do not know how that simple statement has helped. As I thought about this message, tears welled up & I am so thankful for friends........

Maybe today will be the day that my power comes back on........

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........

Ice storm in Oklahoma!

Ok, this is the second ice storm of 2007. Aaaarrgghhh!! This time my house lost power about 5:30am, and the power company says at least 1-1/2 days.......I kept hearing trees collapse under the weight of the ice all night. We had thunderstorms with freezing rain! At least one inch of ice on trees & powerlines.......this will be interesting.......