Ozarks Electric Crews Working Around The Clock

NewsOn6.com

STILWELL, OK -- Utility officials say significant progress is being made as Ozarks Electric CO-OP works to restore power to Oklahoma customers left in the dark by last week's ice storm. 

Just under 3,000 customers in eastern Oklahoma are still without power.  

Ozarks Electric says up to 1,300 of its power poles broke during the storm. 

Officials are still urging patience as service is restored as fast as workers can re-energize the lines. 

For more information visit Ozarks Electric's web site.

Ozarks Electric also issues a warning to residents in the utility's service area. 

"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.  Don't come into contact with anything that is in contact with those wires," said Don Pinkley, Cooperative Safety Coordinator, "because those things could conduct power as well and pose a shock hazard for anyone who might touch them."

Ozarks says crews are continuing their work around the clock and should have a significant number of customers back on line by Sunday afternoon. 

A breakdown of the Oklahoma numbers from Ozarks Electric:

Substation [6 a.m.]                                        

• Baldor                       96
• Cookson                 330
• North Greasy          666
• Stilwell                    495
• Tenkiller                  112
• Titanic                  1,011
• Watts                     181
• Westville                  98
• Total                    2,989