FROM STAFF AND WIRE



State officials say the number of Oklahoma homes and businesses without power has dropped below 100,000 since Thursday’s ice storm left almost twice as many in the dark.

More than 10,000 of those without power are in Chickasha and Grady County.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission said Sunday that 92,460 customers of electric utilities were still without power due to the winter storm that hit the state Thursday. Sunday's outage total was down from a peak of 179,000 on Friday.

Regions with significant numbers of customers still without power Sunday, utility officials said, included the Lawton area, with 16,513 outages; the Chickasha area, with 10,462 customers still out; the Altus area, 9,300; Walters area, 9,290; the Binger area, 6,891; Hobart area, 6,351; Seminole area, 5,000.

Some of those without power in Grady County sought refuge at the Fairgrounds which remains open as a shelter for residents.

Other area shelters are at the Cyril Senior Center, 3 Ohio St. and the Rush Springs Fire Department, 110 N. 3rd.

The Salvation Army continues to assist in Cyril and at the Grady County Fairgrounds shelter in Chickasha, where they are providing supervision and all meals.

The Town Verden was without power for most of two days and the town exhausted its water supply before a generator was brought in to run pumps Friday night. Residents reported power was restored Saturday night.

President Barack Obama over the weekend declared an emergency in the entire state, as requested by Gov. Brad Henry. The declaration authorizes federal agencies to help state and local governments as they deal with the storm's aftermath.

The office of emergency management on Sunday issued the following storm-related toll:

• Authorities said the storm was linked to four deaths in the state. An Ada woman died when a propane tank exploded, a Pontotoc man using a wood-burning stove died in a house fire, a Holdenville driver died in a weather-related accident, and a Geary woman died after apparently slipping on ice.

• At least 325 injuries related to slips and falls on the ice and snow have been reported statewide as a result of the latest winter storm to hit Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) said today. As more Oklahomans venture outdoors to clear their porches, sidewalks and vehicles of ice and snow, the opportunities for slips and falls increase. The OSDH urged caution, especially since thawing and refreezing of ice and snow will likely continue for several days.

• OHP has worked 568 storm related crashes, including 120 involving injury since the storm began. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports 10 people have been treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Dozens of Oklahoma schools were closed Thursday and Friday with many remaining closed today. Area schools reporting Sunday that they would remain closed Monday included Chickasha, Ninnekah and Canadian Valley Technology Center.

• While power has been restored to many, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission warns that melting may create some temporary "spikes" in outages during the afternoon. As ice melts, the weight shift may cause lines to bounce together. However, overall outages should continue to decrease as crews continue their work to restore service.

• The State EOC continues to deploy generators to provide power to critical facilities like shelters, water treatment plans and hospitals in communities impacted by the storm. Already generators have been deployed through the EOC and delivered by the Oklahoma National Guard to Asher, Apache and Hobart for shelter operations, and in Marlow, Duncan and Stephens, Jefferson, Grady and Greer counties for water systems that are down.

• The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) reports progress continues to clear snow and ice from Oklahoma's highways and interstates. Following a re-freeze on roadways last night, slick spots were reported this morning in counties across the state. ODOT crews are continuing round-the-clock clearing operations in many areas today. Motorists are reminded to clear all snow and ice from all windows as well as the top of their vehicle before driving.

For information regarding Oklahoma road conditions, call 888-425-2385. For road conditions in neighboring states call: Texas, 800-452-9292; Kansas, 866-511-5368; Arkansas, 800-245-1672; Colorado 303-639-1111; New Mexico 800-432-4269; and Missouri, 800-222-6400.

After some early morning freezing fog, temperatures are expected to moderate today.

As temperatures warm into the 30s and 40s across much of the state, Oklahomans are reminded to watch out for falling ice.

Rain is expected Wednesday through Friday across southern Oklahoma however daytime temperatures are expected to be well above freezing.

The ice storm left a trail of fallen tree limbs across the state.

Today, The Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief Chainsaw groups will begin taking requests for clearing large trees from individual homes. To request assistance call: 405-388-6912, 405-496-1196 or 405-443-7583. The Baptist priorities of assistance are elderly (who needs assistance), single women with children and families with heads of households on military duty overseas.