Hundreds Still Without Power In NW Oklahoma

Hundreds remain without power after last weekend’s ice storm.

Crews are working on it, but workers are also keeping in mind a lineman who was electrocuted Sunday in Beaver County while making repairs. 

In rural areas like Arnett, it could be a couple more weeks before power is fully restored.  

For the past week, Marilyn Haffner has been relying on this generator to keep her farm going.  

"Our water is run off and electric pump, and so immediately, you don't have water. And of course the heat,"  Haffner said.

It's more than an inconvenience. It's dangerous. The Haffners have already had one small grass fire because of the downed power lines. 

Gordon Lipscomb of Mobile, Alabama, is one of about 400 linemen working on the problem, but it's a daunting task.

Northwestern Electric Co-Op is reporting 5,000 poles downed or damaged, and miles of lines that need repair.  

The hardest area are near Arnett and Shattuck. Lipscomb said he gets it; people want the juice back on, but it's not a quick fix.  

"I do understand it. I wouldn't want to be without power. I fully understand it but just have some patience. We're doing the best we can," he said.

And they’re doing it under tough circumstances. Many of the poles are hard to get to, and the wind is gusty.

"It gets pretty tough,” Lipscomb said. “Buckets swayin'. Just have to hold onto your hat. It gets pretty rough at time."

On Sunday, a lineman in Beaver County was electrocuted and another seriously hurt. Lipscomb said this isn't the kind of job you want to rush.

"I have seven kids and they're ready for me to come home now but I keep telling them I have no idea how long I'm going to be here,” Lipscomb said. “I'm gonna come home as soon as I can. But the main thing is I do want to go home."