Number Of Oklahomans Without Power Decreases

NewsOn6.com

UNDATED -- Ozarks Electric Cooperative has restored approximately 1,900 services system-wide on Saturday.

640 personnel are working around the clock to restore power to the remaining 3,500 cooperative members who do not have service.

Many of Ozarks Electric Cooperative's remaining outages are due to broken meter poles, taps off the main line and service wires.

Broken service poles require bucket trucks to restore the power, however there are 20 service crews working on singles, service drops and energizing meter loops. Construction crews are still working in the Combs, Hindsville, Harmon, and Strickler areas.

With their workforce tripled, crews have restored 93% of their system and hope to have 97% of their system up within a few more days. However, workers say some areas of the most severe damage will require more time to restore completely.

"Members need to be aware of the fact that most lines are becoming energized and any that are on the ground or hanging low should be avoided," said Don Pinkley, Cooperative Safety Coordinator. "Don't come into contact with anything that is in contact with those wires, because those things could conduct power as well and pose a shock hazard for anyone who might touch them."

Ozarks Electric Cooperative service crews are addressing low-hanging and downed wires as they come to them.