Tulsa Takes Emergency Measures After Weekend Ice Storms

Tulsa hasn't been as hard hit by the storm as areas south and east of here. Emergency management workers are afraid that will change as the rain we got earlier Sunday, turns to ice.<br/> <br/>One

Sunday, January 14th 2007, 5:04 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa hasn't been as hard hit by the storm as areas south and east of here. Emergency management workers are afraid that will change as the rain we got earlier Sunday, turns to ice.

One Red Cross shelter in downtown is housing a couple of dozen people. News on 6 anchor Lori Fullbright takes a look at the weather situation in Tulsa.

Gas generators are a lifeline for customers who are desperate to re-start their power, and for those just taking precautions as the storm refuses to let up. At Home Depot theyâ€™ve sold 100 generators in the past two days and had 40 left by mid-afternoon.

"Right now, 75 percent of our total sales and yesterday, 90 percent were weather related. Items like pipe insulation, things for fixing broken pipes and getting their heaters,â€ said Rodger Bowen with Home Depot.

The war room at Tulsa's area emergency management agency was pretty quiet. Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor was there for planning meetings, but the agency hasn't activated into high gear. They're mostly watching the conditions and gathering information so they can be ready, that includes keeping track of other agencies.

"Red Cross has declared an emergency nationally so they are sending 2,000 people to Oklahoma to help with the situation," Mike McCool with TAEMA said.

The Red Cross has set up several shelters in Green Country, including one in the downtown Tulsa First Baptist Church.

These people were on a Greyhound bus that made it to Tulsa and could go no further. Jonathan Scott is trying to get to Indianapolis to see his two young children.

"The first night we slept on the bus, they kept the bus warmed up for us. Last night, we were here and we'll probably be here another day or two," stranded passenger Jonathan Scott said.

Most people are grateful for a place to shower, a warm cot and hot food, but they are anxious to leave this icy wonderland and get to their destination.

Greyhound says it will know when the buses will start running after a management meeting Monday morning.