All you have to say is "ice storm" and every bread shelf, of every grocery store, is emptied in NW Oklahoma. Next is the milk cold case! Nothing left! Try the cereal aisle yet? What do you think the milk was for? Yes it is an "ice storm frenzy" in NW Oklahoma that can empty a grocery story. But that is only the beginning.
Next is the fear of loosing power. Many run to the nearest store that sells portable generators. Stores bring in portable generators to sell; does not matter that they are a car parts store or a hardware store 365 days a year, we "gotta have some generators to sell" because people will buy them. It does not matter that the people that purchase them have no idea how to hook them up or run them, or the store selling them does not have a generator expert to advise the person purchasing the generator. Ice storm frenzy.
After the storm has moved through, the frenzy continues! People wanting their power back on NOW! No matter how many linemen (and this storm brought in a record number of linemen, prior to the storm to be ready to work for the occupants of NW Oklahoma), are out working 12 hours a day to get the power back on. According to Facebook groups, it is not fast enough. No matter how many local electricians are working 12-15 hrs a day to check on the generators that did not start, the electrical services that have been pulled away from the homes and businesses,once again, according to the Facebook groups, it is not enough effort. And heaven forbid, the electrical supply houses in town run out of supplies, so the electricians have to wait until the next truck load comes in, according to Facebook groups, it just is not enough and should not be allowed. Ice storm frenzy.
Then there is the frenzy of every person that owns a chainsaw putting a post on the Facebook groups as the areas most expert tree trimmer, and they can haul the branches away too (well,our city department will haul the branches off for you at no charge, if you only stack them at the curb near your home)! But the real question asked on these group posts is "Can you do it NOW!?" Ice storm frenzy.
Let's take a look at what could of been done over a week ago, since the weather channels had been telling us to prepare for this storm.
First of all, if you already owned a generator, you could of changed the oil and fuel. Checked the connections, spark pugs and batteries. Ran a test run to be sure everything was going to go well, and if not, seek out an expert on generators to assist or advise you. All a week before the predicted storm. If you were purchasing one, do it a week in advance so you could meet with an expert at your home to advise you on hooking up the generator safely for your family. (Remember that portable generators can be deadly.) No more ice storm frenzy.
Next you could of been buying bottle water, food, candles, flashlights and batteries, toilet paper, canned tuna, peanut butter, etc., a little at a time to stock pile it back. Start doing this right after Thanksgiving, since our most severe weather tends to not be until January and February. That way, there is only a need to shop for food items like bread, milk, cereal, meat right before the storm arrives. No more ice storm frenzy.
Also have the chimney inspected and cleaned in September or October, when the outside temperature is just beginning to be cooler. Buy a rick or two of firewood (or cut it yourself, if you can) in September, October and November. This should be plenty of firewood to get through January and February. No more ice storm frenzy.
And finally, two more things to do yearly. Book an electrical inspection of your home or buildings in the fall and make it a yearly routine. A properly trained electrician will not only inspect the inside of your home or building, but also the outside to see if there is anything that can be taken care of then, instead of waiting for it to be a problem. Yearly maintenance of your generator will assure that it will be ready to run when you need it too. No more ice storm frenzy to deal with! Your family will be calm and prepared.
A yearly plan also helps to establish a good relationship with your electrician and generator tech. So that when you need them in an emergency, you are at the top of their list of those who are calling and demanding their assistance.
Just like those that live on coastlines have to prepare for hurricanes days in advance, families in NW Oklahoma can do so with crippling winter storms. You just have to make a plan.
1, Purchase a standby generator that you can depend on and purchase a maintenance plan.
2. Have a yearly electrical inspection of your home. Fix things before they become a problem.
3. Have the chimney cleaned in early fall and purchase one or two ricks of wood September-
November.
4. Purchase items of need and comfort a little bit at a time and store back.
5. Purchase perishable food items just prior to the storm.
6. Keep Tri-State Electric's phone number in your cell phone for emergencies.
7. Find the Emergency Action Plan template we posted on our Facebook page, and take the time to
plan out what your family will do, where they will go, who they will contact etc.
8. Gather board games and fun craft projects to work on during the storm for adults and children.
9. Be calm and see it as a time you can rest and build relationships with those you love.
