Oklahoma Power Companies Preparing For The Storm

By Dan Bewley and Scott Thompson, The News On 6

UNDATED -- Electric utilities across eastern Oklahoma are keeping a close eye on the weather with the main concern that ice may bog down power lines, cutting electricity.

Workers at the East Central Electric Co-op were busy Wednesday preparing for the storm.

"If we were to see a green one that means that entire feeder is off in that particular substation," said Nina Holly, a dispatch supervisor at East Central Electric Co-op.

Holly has been busy double-checking the system in the dispatch center of the East Central Electric Co-op.

"Everyone is busy doing everything," she said.

The co-op has 32,000 members in seven counties and sits in the bulls eye of Thursday's expected storm

"We do ask for their patience, we ask for their understanding," said Co-op employee Tim Smith of their customers.

Tim Smith says they've added 90 field workers to the 30 already on staff and plan to bring in more. They're also tracking the weather system and trying to determine the best places to stage their crews.

Smith says the 2007 ice storm is still fresh on his mind. The biggest lesson is improving communication.

The same goes for PSO in Tulsa.

A Public Service of Oklahoma spokesman says they're already prepared to stage crews at the fairgrounds. PSO has also installed generators and other infrastructure if they have to call in a large number of out of state crews.

Another lesson from two years ago deals with weatherheads, that's the device that connects a house to the electric grid. The storm in 2007 ripped dozens of weatherheads from homes, and PSO reminds if that happens, it's the homeowner's responsibility to get it fixed.

"If those weatherhead services are pulled away from your house, you're going to need to make sure that those are repaired first before we can even get in there to restore electricity," said Stan Whiteford of PSO.

Their plan is in place; now all that's left is to wait for a storm no one is looking forward to.

"We will hang in there and do the best we can," said Nina Holly, a dispatch supervisor with East Central Electric Company.

Watch out for downed power lines. No matter how safe it looks there may still be electricity running through it. And remember to keep generators outside if you're using them to provide power to your home.

The following tips for generator use were taken from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Follow these safety tips to protect against CO poisoning. 

• NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
• Follow the instructions that come with your generator. Locate the unit outdoors and far from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors. 
• Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer's instructions. CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01). Test batteries monthly.

To avoid CO poisoning when using generators:  

• Never run generators indoors, including garages, basements, crawlspaces and sheds.
• Get to fresh air right away if you start to feel dizzy or weak.