Communities Across Eastern Oklahoma Preparing For The Worst

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The big winter storm in the forecast brings back a lot of bad memories of the 2007 ice storm.

The News On 6 went to four communities all across Green Country to see how they're getting ready for the tough task ahead.

Whether it is Bartlesville, Muskogee, Pawhuska or Wagoner, city workers are preparing for a whale of a winter storm.

In Bartlesville, with its 2,000 tons of salt and sand, crews are filling trucks and doing maintenance in anticipation of the battle with old man winter.

"We're fully stocked and the equipment is ready to go, we are just going to wait on the weather and see what happens," said Keith Henry, Bartlesville Public Works Director

Wagoner, like many towns, has restocked since the Christmas Eve blizzard.

"We kind of depleted out sand supply but we got all that replenished and got our trucks all serviced back up and ready to go," said Larry Morgan, Wagoner City Superintendent.

In Muskogee, Public works director Jim Wixom says memories of the ice storm of '07 have him concerned.

"The thought of power lines being down, trees falling.  It sure does," Wixom said.

Osage County crews also hope for the best but are preparing for the worst.

"Somebody said well maybe it would split and go around Osage County.  I don't think that's an option, but we can always hope for it," said Bob Jackson, Osage County Supervisor.

All agree if they could pick an opponent, they would rather it be snow than ice but realize there's a good chance they'll be double teamed by both.

They can only have their equipment ready the trucks loaded and get their minds right for a fight.

"I know there's going to be some long evenings, and long days but it's going to be fun," said James Cutler, Bartlesville City Worker.

Bartlesville's Public Works Director says part of a half cent sales tax passed a few years ago was used on new equipment which should pay off in this winter storm.