Glen Burnie, MD —
Jan Pipkin and her family made a few trips into neighboring Annapolis, Maryland, over the weekend to gather supplies for the oncoming storm, Hurricane Sandy.
Pipkin, originally from Duncan, lives with her husband, Jarrell, and their two sons, in Glen Burnie, which is midway between Annapolis and Baltimore. They’ve been there since 2009 and experienced Hurricane Irene. Yet, she said, Sunday, there was definitely a different feel to the approaching storm which has officials issuing mandatory evacuations.
“We have noticed a change in weather. Yesterday (Saturday) we were in shorts, today (Sunday), it’s in mid-50s and started drizzling mid-afternoon,” she said. Like many in Oklahoma who now receive a Code Red or county-emergency call to their phones, the Pipkins are among those who get such a call in their region. She said that county calls have been issued for people to stock up on flashlights and the calls also indicated where emergency shelters have been established. One of those is Annapolis High School, she said.
For the Pipkins, it’s a 20 minute trip to either metropolitan area and by Sunday, bread aisles were cleared out, along with fruit and other items that can be eaten without a need for power.
“We cross over Curtis Bay, where there is a Coast Guard stationed there,” Pipkin said. “We are fairly close to the inlets; our neighborhood is not in a low-lying area and they are only asking people in low lying areas to evacuate. We have not been given that order.”
She said there is a sense of urgency in her neighborhood and especially in Annapolis, as homeowners and business owners scurry about to secure items and boats. In their neighborhood, she said many people have brought in their outside decorations for Halloween, and other things.
“Main Street in Annapolis will probably be flooded. That’s our concern, flooding.” They have a three story townhome which they can take refuge in the top floor, she said. Annapolis has become a regular part of their lives, she said, and she’s hoping the storm doesn’t destroy it. “That’s where our church is and we take field trips there. It’s just a nice city.”
A 1991 Duncan High School graduate, Pipkin married in 1995 to a Texan and when he received a promotion for an insurance company, they found themselves facing a bit of culture shock, moving to the East Coast. They’ve managed to adjust well though, she said.
Their boys, Nathan, 12, and Luke, 8, are homeschooled and she laughed, saying Sunday, they were disappointed that “school was cancelled” but not for them.
“They’re nervous about losing power. It dawned on them today, no Wii, no computers, as we were talking about it today. We’ve talked about why we’re buying supplies; but it really hasn’t affected our plans yet.”
She said they are trying to be prepared but not panicked.
“For me, I’m grateful for the warning and a couple of days to be ready.”
Pipkin’s father is Jimmy D. Williams, an employee at Halliburton, not the Williams who is Marlow police chief.
Local News
Superstorm Sandy has former Duncan woman, family on alert
- Local News
-
-
Tornado warning at DIA delays Duncan resident's flight home
Update: Carberry's plane arrived as scheduled back in Oklahoma at Will Rogers International Airport.
Two tornados were spotted and National Weather Service confirmed that one touched down at Denver International Airport around 2:18 p.m. today.
Duncan resident Jamie Carberry was going through the security checkpoints as she waited to board a plane home after a short vacation there. That’s when the alert was sounded and people began taking cover. -
Duncan resident takes tornado precautions at DIA
People at Denver International Airport are taking shelter, and there are unconfirmed reports that a tornado touched down at Denver International Airport.
-
Hastings to close Duncan store
Corporate officials with Hasting’s Entertainment informed its employees early today at the Duncan Hastings Entertainment store that their store will be closing Aug. 9.
This news came during a mandatory store meeting, where two corporate representatives, district and store managers, were present to make the announcement, confirmed a store employee, who spoke with The Banner after the meeting. -
Former Duncan city manager leaves legacy, inspires current leaders
There are many who love their city, but one of the first things people would learn about Doug Johnson when they met him was his love and dedication to Duncan.
Johnson, a former councilman and city manager for the City of Duncan, passed away Thursday at the age of 82. A lifelong resident of Duncan, he only spent time away from the city during his years attending Baylor University on a basketball scholarship. -
Digital images land man behind bars on child porn charges
Samuel Wesley Brackeen, 34, of Duncan, was charged in Stephens County District Court with two felony counts related to pornography.
Brackeen was originally arrested on both counts.
According to the affidavit filed in district court on June 14, count 1 was possession of child pornography, AFCF, from Jan. 23 to Jan. 30; and count 2 was manufacturing child pornography, on or about Jan. 3, at a Comanche residence. -
Court: Ariz. citizenship proof law illegal
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states cannot on their own require would-be voters to prove they are U.S. citizens before using a federal registration system designed to make signing up easier.
-
Events this week include Dinos at Duncan Public LIbrary today, ends with Founder's Day fun Saturday
Events at the Duncan Public Library this week include Dinosaurs Live from 2-4 p.m. Monday for ages 7-11 Juggle Whatever from 10-11 a.m. or 2-3 p.m. Wednesday for ages 7-11, 11-11:45 a.m Thursday for ages 3-6 and 2-3 p.m. Thursday for ages 10-17.
-
Stephens County unemployment rate dips to 4.1 percent
Unemployment in Stephens County is sitting at 4.1 percent, which is lower than the state average and the averages of the surrounding states.
-
June sales tax report for county released
For the past three years, the June distribution report of sales tax collections has reflected a steady growth for Duncan.
-
Fracking fuels water fights in nation's dry spots
The latest domestic energy boom is sweeping through some of the nation's driest pockets, drawing millions of gallons of water to unlock oil and gas reserves from beneath the Earth's surface.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Tornado warning at DIA delays Duncan resident's flight home
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
