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Midwest Million Left in Icy Dark

Massive power outage as new storm prepares to blast region again

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2007 7:41 AM CST
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(Newser) – Nearly 1 million people are without power in the aftermath of a nightmarish ice storm that wreaked havoc with roads, homes and airports through a Midwestern swath of the nation. The storm has claimed 24 lives so far, most on ice-slicked roadways. Forecasters predicted a new storm building in the southern Plains today that will deliver more sleet and freezing rain to Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas.

The power outage was the worst ever in Oklahoma, with more than 618,000 homes and businesses without electricity. Thousands were also affected in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. "We're relying on people to look after each other," said the mayor of Oklahoma City. "People who have electricity ought to be sharing it with people who don't."

An OG&E crew check tree limbs and ice on power lines along the road after an ice storm in eastern Oklahoma County, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Jim Beckel)
An OG&E crew check tree limbs and ice on power lines along the road after an ice storm in eastern Oklahoma County, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Jim Beckel)   (Associated Press)
Fallen tree limbs cover Britton Road after a Ice storm in eastern Oklahoma County, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Jim Beckel)
Fallen tree limbs cover Britton Road after a Ice storm in eastern Oklahoma County, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Jim Beckel)   (Associated Press)
A utility worker repairs power lines yesterday in Missouri. (AP Photo/ Al Maglio)
A utility worker repairs power lines yesterday in Missouri. (AP Photo/ Al Maglio)   (Associated Press)
Bicycles are covered in ice, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007 at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. after an overnight ice storm. (AP Photo/ Al Maglio)
Bicycles are covered in ice, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007 at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. after an overnight ice storm. (AP Photo/ Al Maglio)   (Associated Press)
Firefighters pick up hose after extinguishing a fire yesterday in Missouri. A 68-year-old woman escaped from the burning structure along with four dogs, but a cat perished in the fire. A thick glaze of ice brought down power lines and cut electricity to close to a million homes and businesses,...
Firefighters pick up hose after extinguishing a fire yesterday in Missouri. A 68-year-old woman escaped from the burning structure along with four dogs, but a cat perished in the fire. A thick glaze of...   (Associated Press)
Sam Heigle works at removing a fallen tree from his driveway in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. A winter storm has coated much of Oklahoma in ice, knocking out power to more than 400,000 homes and businesses. (AP Photo)
Sam Heigle works at removing a fallen tree from his driveway in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. A winter storm has coated much of Oklahoma in ice, knocking out power to more than 400,000 homes...   (Associated Press)
Mike Savage, who usually works as a meter technician for the local power company in Oklahoma City, rolls up a downed power line after capping it off and making it safe in a residential neighborhood in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. Once power is returned to the neighborhood, another...
Mike Savage, who usually works as a meter technician for the local power company in Oklahoma City, rolls up a downed power line after capping it off and making it safe in a residential neighborhood in...   (Associated Press)
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Ice? What ice?
Associated Press

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Midwest • Chicago • storm • power • Missouri • Oklahoma • ice • ice storm

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