Ice storms in Oklahoma raise resiliency issues | 12.19.2007 | 08:38:24 | Views: 6816 | ID: December 19 '07: The Associated Press reported that the recent ice storms which have crippled the Midwest are raising several recovery and resilience issues stemming from extended bouts of loss of power and freezing temperatures. The AP reported, "Many residents have a new problem to rival dwindling temperatures: dwindling bank accounts. Some have spent their money to stay in hotels, thinking power at home would be restored within a day or two, or depleted their funds by stocking up before the storm on food that has now spoiled." Other considerations, according to American Red Cross Chairman of Central Oklahoma Vince Hernandez told the AP, "We've had people using generators who ran out of money for fuel to operate the generators." Meanwhile the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City opened its doors to let people use its facilities while power is being restored to neighborhoods. Hot meals were being provided at the Cox Center as well, the AP reported. Oklahoma Gas & Electric also has set up walk-up stations for people to report power failures, but some business community members are saying that the slow rate of recovery is hurting their business. In a press release (aforelinked), the power company said costs "are expected to be significant," but that there are more than "1,000 people in the field working on ice storm response, with OG&E employees assisted by contractors, utility personnel and tree crews from states including Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi and Indiana."
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