More Storm Updatage

I remember how it was when we lost power last February. It was only for 40 hours and our phones still worked, but it felt very strange to be that disconnected.

You feel all alone...you don't know how others are faring....you wonder if anyone outside the area really cares.

But unlike the people on the news, I know these folks and it hits more directly than something from the networks.

So here's another report, this time from my nephew David, Elizabeth's oldest:

Amy and I somehow managed to keep our power for the most part. It has gone down for a few hours periodically and flashed multiple times but each time has come back on. The Lord has been very good to us, especially since all of our appliances are electric! Monday we were one of the very few streets in Sand Springs with electricity. Our phone line has been out most of the time and for a day and a half our cell phones hardly got any reception.

Thankfully the ice did not stick to the streets. The only hazard driving has been fallen branches and trees. Our road was completely blocked one direction and only a small car could get out the other direction. We have nearby friends and family, various pets, and a 1 and 2 year old staying with us, so our small duplex has been very full! Thankfully we had a freezer that was mostly empty so we have been able to store a lot of food from people.

I have been able to get out and get various supplies (food, diapers, batteries, etc) and feel almost like I live at Walmart, which thankfully got it’s power back on Tuesday. I made it to my mom’s and was pretty shocked at all the damage to the trees. Not being the proficient climber that my dad was (or really a climber at all for that matter), I’m not sure how we’ll get the trees cleaned up. I hope to get back out to my mom’s this weekend to try and get a start on the massive number of large branches on the ground moved.

Hopefully the chainsaws will still start after 4 years and I can recall the chainsaw maintenance lessons without too much trouble – not to mention find oil, bar-and-chain lube, and other items needed. There has been a huge rush to buy anything tree cleanup related and so chainsaw equipment is in short supply. We may have to start the old fashioned way with axes and saws.

Tuesday I was able to go to work, which I am thankful for. But at the same time there isn’t much to do there and I feel I could be much more productive cleaning up at my mom’s and Amy’s mom’s. Most of the people at work have been without power too. Amy and I are one of the very few people I've had contact with that kept our power - of which we are very thankful for. My wife's cousin's 2-year old prayed at dinner one night "Tank you for da food and da wights. Amen".

The city has done a good job of clearing the streets of limbs. They even got to our little street yesterday. There are still very many without power. I would say that still around ¾ of Sand Springs (city limits) is without power. Monday the power to the water treatment plant went out so there was a water shortage, but they were able to get it back online Monday night. They have been prioritizing the emergency response areas and nursing homes first and then are moving to large residential blocks. Hopefully the 1-6” of snow predicted this weekend will not slow down the effort.

Thank you all for your prayers.

David and Amy

 

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