First winter storm less damaging than past storms

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma's first major winter storm of the season turned out to be less damaging than the ice storms of January 2002 and December 2000, but that's little comfort for the

Wednesday, December 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma's first major winter storm of the season turned out to be less damaging than the ice storms of January 2002 and December 2000, but that's little comfort for the thousands of customers left without power.

A storm system dumped nearly a foot of snow on parts of northwestern Oklahoma and freezing rain in northern and central sections of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The ice coated trees and power lines, causing a disruption in electricity to about 60,000 homes and businesses at one point, about 25,000 of which were Oklahoma Gas & Eletric customers.

Crews worked through the night and day and had power restored to all but about 1,100 customers by early Thursday, OG&E officials said.

Tuesday's storm marked the third time in two years that an ice storm has left large sections of the state without power.

Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin declared 42 Oklahoma counties in western, northern and northeastern sections of the state as disaster emergency areas.

Fallin, acting as governor, signed the executive order Wednesday while Gov. Frank Keating was in Louisiana.

``The disaster declaration commits all state resources available to protect lives and to prevent, minimize and repair injury and damage,'' Fallin said.

``This executive order enables our in-state utility companies to request assistance from out-of-state utility service companies to restore power.''

The emergency declaration is the first step the state needs if it hopes to ask for federal assistance, said Sandy Pantlik, Fallin's spokeswoman.

The state Department of Civil Emergency Management received requests for generators in Okarche and Geary for operating their water treatment systems.

``We have not had the requests for assistance that we had in the last two storms,'' said Michelann Ooten, department spokeswoman. ``If you just look at that, it doesn't compare. But ... it's really too early to know.''

Slippery and wet roads contributed to dozens of motor vehicle accidents, but there were no fatalities reported.

Ambulances went to 41 injury accidents in the Oklahoma City area between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., EMSA spokesman Paul O'Leary said.

``We've been very, very busy. We've been slammed,'' O'Leary said Wednesday.

Slick roads caused a nine-car pileup in west Oklahoma City, injuring several people, police Lt. Jay Barnett said.

In northwestern Oklahoma, snowfall amounts added up to nearly a foot in the Oklahoma Panhandle and 6 to 12 inches was reported near Buffalo, authorities said.

Nine inches of snow was reported in Arnett and 8 inches was measured in Buffalo and Mutual, the National Weather Service said.

Officials in Enid closed schools on Wednesday after 5.5 inches of snow fell there.

Enid police Sgt. Mark Blodgett said he saw only two traffic accidents reports on Wednesday. He credited the closing of schools and work by city maintenance crews with the low number.

``Everything is passable,'' Blodgett said. ``Officers received minimal assistance and welfare check calls. With school not being in session, everyone is staying home.''

Mike Honigsberg, director of the Garfield County Emergency Management, said the area did well for the first bout of winter weather.

``People knew it was coming and everyone acted appropriately,'' Honigsberg said.

Near Oklahoma City, electricity at Del City High School and Kerr Junior High in Del City went out early Wednesday but was restored by 1:30 p.m. Two Midwest City schools also lost power but regained it early in the afternoon.

District spokesman Josh O'Brien said classes continued because students were at the schools.

``When something happens overnight, you never know how long it will take for repairs to be made,'' O'Brien said. ``It's logistically difficult sending students home once school has started, because they would be going back to unsupervised locations, and many of the homes ... also had the power out.

``School was as normal as could be under the circumstances.''

Forecasters expect temperatures to be above freezing, but only in the 30s and 40s. Forties are expected statewide by Friday.