Storm Struggle Continues In Tahlequah

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, OK -- Thousands of Oklahomans are still without power.  Some of them have taken shelter from the storm in churches, but as the days wear on, they're anxious to get home.

"I can deal with rain and a whole bunch of weather and stuff, but it was the icing on the cake for somebody who was already going through something," said Holly Mangum.

Holly Mangum and her three children just moved to Oklahoma from Seattle to escape a troubled past. Mangum came to put her life back together in Tahlequah. And now, they are dealing with the effects of the ice storm.

"It's a whole different atmosphere I am not used to," said Holly Mangum.  "Emotions are very overwhelming, being in a gym with a whole bunch of people and coming from our situation of domestic violence already."

The recent ice storm was a first for Mangum and her children. They lost power and have been taking shelter in the First United Methodist Church. But, they are eager to go home.

"You see people that are coming and going and their getting their lights and we're just waiting.  Please can we just get our lights?" said Holly Mangum.

While Holly and her boys pass the time with library books and toys provided by the church, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Kitchen was on its way to provide a hot dinner to people still put out by the storm. 

The volunteers have served over 2,300 meals so far.  Last night, 108 people stayed in a shelter. There have been 68 Red Cross members involved in the relief effort moving meals from Muskogee to Cookson. Meals that everyone is thankful for.

"And we came here with just this. No supplies or anything. They've actually given us everything," said Holly Mangum.  "Being here, I'm very thankful for it. I can't complain."