By KAREN BRADY

The Express-Star



The second major winter storm of the season has caused widespread power outages across the county.

Chickasha and Grady County were hit by up to an inch of freezing rain and ice Thursday that caused tree limbs to snap, falling on ice-covered power lines.

“It could be a whole lot better,” Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson. “County-wide, about 20,000 were without power. At one time, 14,000 were without power in Chickasha alone. Power is still out at Ninnekah, Alex and Verden.”

At noon, much of Chickasha remained without power. Power went out to downtown at about 1 p.m. Thursday and was restored to some at about 6:30 a.m.

Temperatures dipped into the mid 20s over night and, after a lull in the frozen mix, snow began falling mid-morning. Snow accumulations were expected to be up to three inches.

Thompson said the county opened a “warming shelter” at the Fairgrounds Thursday night But because only two families took advantage of it last night. The county made other arrangements for those families and closed the shelter.

But today, with widespread outages continuing, the shelter has reopened.

“We will keep the fairgrounds open and we are trying to get in touch with the Salvation Army and Red Cross so they can bring in coffee and snacks.”

He said the City of Chickasha is also opening the bathouse at Shannon Springs Park as a warming shelter.”

“It won’t be an overnight shelter, but it will be a place people can come in for a while and have a cup of coffee and get warm,” Thompson said.

He said there have been two structure fires in the area, including a residence in the 4000 block of Highway 81, south of Chickasha.

“About 6 p.m. last night, a tree limb broke off and took the weather head off where electricity goes into the house, sparking and causing a fire,” Thomspon said. “The house was a total loss, but there were no injuries.”

Firefighters from Chickasha, Ninnekah, Pioneer and Friend responded to the call.

The second fire was at a residence on Maple Street in Ninnekah.

“I don’t know what caused the fire,” Thomspon said. “But there were reports of flames coming from the chimney. I’m not aware of any injuries.”

Thompson encourages people to stay at home and call 911 for medical emergencies.

“We’ve been telling people this is coming,” he said.