Work Continues For Power Crews And Electricians

From over a half of million at the height of the storm, PSO as of Thursday night had power restored to all but a few hundred homes.  But, there are still thousands of homes which can't receive that power.  The News On 6's Steve Berg reports PSO does not make repairs to a home's electrical system that has been damaged.  That's where the city's Operation Power Up program steps in.

PSO's part in this is really winding down.  But, the volunteer electricians are really scrambling.  The lightning bolt in his company's logo fits because Joe Duvall moves fast.  He compares the recovery effort to battlefield surgery.

"There's a lot of people that are gut shot and we're just trying to get 'em fixed," said Joe Duvall.

Electricians that are hired through Operation Power Up are reimbursed by the city because some without power are virtually powerless to fix the damage to their house.  Without the program, Lovie McFarlin says she wouldn't have been able to make repairs.

"Without, I would have done without.  So I think it's a wonderful program," said Lovie McFarlin.

"It's like ya know kids and Christmas.  It's just unbelievable.  There's a lot of people that have been doing without for several days, and they're just tickled to death to see you pull up in the front yard and know that somebody is there to try to take care of them," said electrician Joe Duvall.

To be honest, Duvall and his crew are making a lot less than their regular rate on these jobs.

"Just to try to spread some good back in the world, man.  Just trying to help some people out right now," said electrician Joe Duvall.

Meanwhile, things have quieted down for the utility crews, which are dealing with about 2,500 outages.

"By the time the weekend is over, we expect that we will have released all of the outside crews," said PSO's Stan Whiteford.

The volunteers, though, will still be connecting one home at a time.

PSO is done with its regular work.  But, the PSO Foundation announced Thursday it's giving $250,000 to five counties in northeast Oklahoma.  The money will be used to help low-income residents make their property habitable.  The Salvation Army will distribute the money.