We are now in week two of dealing with the aftermath of the powerful ice storm that brought tens of thousands of trees down all across Green Country and has left so many families without power. It has been a tiring week, yet an inspiring one. Tulsa has long been known for its public/private partnerships, and Tulsans are also known for their ability to pull together and accomplish tough goals.
The efforts continue to help get life back to normal for Tulsa area residents. I am proud of the way the entire community has pulled together to help one another to share resources and to forge ahead in recovery efforts.
On Sunday I launched “Operation Power Up!”, a joint effort led by Tulsa Firefighters and nearly 500 volunteers working from ten command centers located across the city. These volunteers, many of whom are members of GUTS Church, divided into teams led by Tulsa firefighters and went door to door in the Tulsa neighborhoods most affected by the ice storm of December 9 and 10. Their interviews with residents and assessments of storm damage are critically important to guide the removal of debris and weatherhead repair at these homes.
The Tulsa Fairgrounds has become “electric city.” Hundreds of linemen and tree crews from 14 states are working to restore power to customers, many of whom have now been without heat and light for eight days.
For some homes, restoring the power may mean having an electrician repair a damaged weatherhead which connects the electric meter to the structure. Also to speed the process, we set up a central supply and dispatch center for all licensed electricians at Expo Square, and are expediting the permit process.
I had the opportunity to see the hardest-hit areas Sunday via helicopter. Tulsa has sustained widespread and devastating damage. Our efforts to recover from this storm will take many months. Once all residents have electricity again the city will begin to assess damage to our urban forest and to make our city green again.
Tulsa E-News December 17, 2007
Call for Volunteers
The City of Tulsa needs 100 volunteers to work with Tulsa Firefighters on Tuesday, December 18, to clear debris from power lines and weatherheads at individual homes. These efforts will help PSO assess damage to homes and clear debris so electricians can make reconnection from the home to the power lines.
Volunteers will meet at the parking lot of the Mabee Center, 81st and Lewis, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, where firefighters will organize them into teams and dispatch them to some of the areas hardest hit by last week’s ice storms.
City of Tulsa Helps Residents Recover From Storm
Tulsans continue to recover from the effects of one of the worst ice storms in Oklahoma’s history, which resulted in the largest power outage experienced by Public Service of Oklahoma (PSO). The immediate response began on morning of Monday, Dec. 10, when the Emergency Operations Center for the area was activated. During the next two days, power outages rose to a high of more than 240,000, but many other challenges were created in the absence of light and heat. Fires resulted in two fatalities and dozens of people who were exposed to carbon monoxide from alternative, non-traditional heat sources such as gas stovetops, charcoal grills, propane heaters and generator fumes were transported to hospitals.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2007, less than 30,000 customers in Tulsa were without power. As anticipated, PSO restored power to the majority of homes in Tulsa, but many individual homes with damage to their weatherheads and meter boxes were still without power.
Read more...Other Helpful Numbers in an Emergency
Fire Safety Tips
Tulsa firefighters have responded to more than one hundred structural fires, including two which resulted in fatalities, since the ice storm arrived three days ago.
Tulsa Fire Capt. Larry Bowles said citizens can help prevent fires, electrocutions, carbon monoxide poisoning and other problems by using caution with candles, space-heaters, fireplaces and heating appliances not designed for indoor use. Also, the use of generators can pose electrical shock hazards both inside homes and elsewhere, Bowles advised.
Call an Electrician if Electrical Box Damaged
The City of Tulsa’s Development Services Division, which licenses contractors and tradesmen and inspects electrical, pluming and mechanical work, has helpful advice for property owners who may have damage to the electrical connections, meter boxes or weather heads that supply electricity.
Following this advice could cut hours or days off of the process of getting power restored in many cases.
Tree Debris Options
Public Works crews are pro-actively working to pick up tree limbs and debris on every street in Tulsa. Because of the extent of tree debris throughout the city, this process is expected to take weeks. Contractors are being called in to supplement city crew efforts in order to expedite tree branch collection and disposal.
It is not necessary for individuals to call the Mayor’s Action Center to get your name and address on the list for pickup.
Food Safety Tips in a Power Outage
With power outages prevalent in the City of Tulsa, food safety as well as heating is an important issue for citizens of Tulsa. If people at home or those in food establishments have had a loss of power for more than four hours, take precautions with refrigerated food products.