Squirrel Among Those Seeking Refuge From Ike

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A tiny survivor of Hurricane Ike has made its way to Green Country.  A Houston family is riding out Ike's aftermath in Tulsa, and they brought a unique pet with them.

The Vlahas endured the storm, but decided to evacuate after they lost power.  On their way out of town, they found an abandoned baby squirrel.  They brought it to Tulsa, and surprisingly, it survived the trip.

Houston native Izzy the squirrel is still recovering after making the long road trip from Texas.

"We're glad she's doing better because we thought she was going to die," said Grace Vlaha.

After Hurricane Ike moved through, 10-year-old Grace Vlaha discovered the three-week old in her driveway.  Her family needed to skip town, but after some convincing from Grace and her brother Chris, they decided to pack up Izzy with their belongings.

"They wanted to take care of him, and I thought it was great thing for them to want to take care of a wild animal that lost its home," said hurricane victim Rick Vlaha.

But, what to do with Izzy once they arrived in Green Country?  After consulting with a Tulsa veterinarian, they were referred to Stephanie Yuill, who is also known as, the Squirrel Lady.

"I never even knew there was a squirrel woman, a squirrel lady who loves squirrels and that's her heart's desire," said Barbara Vlaha.

"I'm the squirrel lady," said Stephanie Yuill.

Yes, Tulsa has a squirrel lady.  She has spent the past two decades nursing the critters back to health, and currently has 20 of them in her home.  Stephanie placed Izzy in a cage with another baby, appropriately named Ike.

She says Izzy is a little dehydrated, but should be climbing trees and running into the road in no time.

"The family did wonderful.  Kept him warm, kept him comfortable.  He made the long trip from Houston here," said Stephanie Yuill.

Izzy won't be making the trip back to Houston.  After all, squirrels make terrible pets.  But, Grace takes comfort in knowing that this smallest of hurricane victims will weather the storm.

The Vlahas are staying with friends in Tulsa until it's safe to return to Houston.  The Squirrel Lady says she will continue to nurse Izzy back to health, and then release him into Mohawk Park.

She says if you are a squirrel in Tulsa, there is no better place to live.