Oklahoma Iceland
Like I mentioned in this post, I’m from Oklahoma, where you’re more likely to get ice than snow. If you live anywhere in North America, since I’m in Canada and have, you’ve likely seen on the news that I wasn’t lying about that. If the name wasn’t already taken, Oklahoma would be better known for the moment as Iceland.
Oklahoma governor Brad Henry has declared a statewide state of emergency and President Bush has declared the state a federal disaster area in wake of the severe storms that covered much of the state in ice. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses are without electric from ice covered trees buckling under the weight of the ice. All in all, it appears almost like an arctic war zone.
All the coverage on the national news here in Canada seemed to concentrate mainly on the Oklahoma City area, so I gave my mom a call to see how Northeastern Oklahoma made out. They are in the same boat. She had been without electricity since 5:30am on Sunday, and said reports were that it may be up to ten days before it came back on. While I was on the phone with her, limbs were breaking and trees were falling after valiant fights against the ice.
She told me that if not for the devastation, it’s actually quite pretty, which I know is true in those cases. She also told me about when it was storming on Sunday night, with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, that the sky was lit up with eerie blue bolts of lightning. It had to be a strange sight, and it was one that inspired the writer in me.
So, to all those in the state of Oklahoma, and anywhere else that fell in the storms path, my thoughts and best wishes are with you. To all those hunters who find themselves not getting to hunt, stay inside, take care of your families and loved ones, and lay plans for that big buck that’s eluded you so far for when the situation gets better there.
hunting, hunting sense, Oklahoma, ice storm, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Northeastern Oklahoma
December 11th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
It is incredible what an ice storm can do. I wish all you in those states the best of luck. And be CAREFUL!!
December 11th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Cliff,
Hope your family and all those around them stay warm and well. We had one here in Michigan a few years back that kept us without power/heat for four days.
We stuck it out at home, and lived in front of the fireplace for a few days but in OK, most aren’t as prepared to deal with long bouts without heat.
December 11th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Thank you. Luckily they don’t rely on electricity for heat, and their propane tank is full. I think boredom and lack of hunting will get to them the most.
December 11th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I can’t imagine how Oklahoma is dealing with the ice, since they don’t get it that often. It is pretty, but sure can be dangerous.
I hope everyone in Oklahoma stays safe.