Muskogee Residents Seek Shelter As Lights Go Out

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

MUSKOGEE, OK -- Muskogee is taking quite a hit.

It's not the icy assault of 2007, but for many, it's enough to send chills down your spine and frosty flashbacks through your head.  Jimmy Goad says he's not taking any chances.

Goad and his son were loading generators in Fort Gibson on Tuesday.  With an eye to the icy power lines, Goad says you can never be too careful.  But, for now, the lines and the tree branches are holding strong.

"It's really not too bad so far. As long as we've still got power, heat and water," said Jimmy Goad of Fort Gibson.

In neighboring Muskogee, some weren't so lucky.  Hundreds lost power, sending OGE crews into the air to repair and restore.

The Red Cross machine kicked in for those in the cold and dark.  Volunteer Mary Jo Posey says she knows what it's like to be forced from your home because of the ice.

"After the second and third day with no electricity, no heat and no water, we too had to come and seek shelter," said Red Cross volunteer Mary Jo Posey.

She's helping set up a shelter at Muskogee's First United Methodist to give residents a place to rest their heads and a hot meal.  It's just what Kelly Hacker and her family needed, after a brutal wake up call.

"Like, we could see our breaths. It was really cold," said Kelly Hacker of Muskogee.

After hours in the cold, Kelly, her sister, and her nieces and nephews came to the shelter.

"It's great. I mean, it's always good to be home, but it's nice to have somewhere to go, when you can't be at home," said Kelly Hacker.

The Red Cross says the home away from home will be there, if people need it.  But, hopefully this time, the limbs will stay put and the lights will stay on.

The Red Cross says the Muskogee shelter will remain open through Wednesday morning.  And, they'll decide how long it will stay open, after they see how many people are in need.