Kevin Kerr
Citizens of Marlow have been literally left in the dark for up to 10 days now as power has yet to be reconnected to the substation. PSO officials said that the main transmission line that had nearly four miles of downed lines and poles, would be repaired and operational sometime within the week. Until then, two mobile generators have been brought to Marlow so that some electrical systems can be powered up. As a result, Marlow residents are being asked to conserve power when they get it so they don’t exceed the capacity of the temporary generation until the main line is reattached to the town’s substation.
“We appreciate the efforts of PSO in their restoration work under very adverse conditions, and we further understand the need to restore power to the Marlow Distribution system,” OMPA General Manager Cindy Holmon said in a press release Friday.
OMPA has been directing repairs to the Marlow substation, which was completed Friday, to allow the town distribution system to be powered once the transmission service is restored. Marlow has received assistance on its own distribution systems from Ponca City, Okeene, Skiatook, Claremore, Sallisaw, Perry and Duncan electric departments.
The Marlow Shelter at the First Baptist Church Life Center continues to serve hundreds of meals a day to residents but only houses a handfull of people.
“We’re averaging 18 a night... and it seems to be the same group of people,” Marlow City Fire Chief Jerome McCalvin said. “We’re really surprised (at the number of people staying), but the people of Marlow are pretty resilient and independent.
“I think they feel more comfortable in their own homes, and some have alternate forms of heat, things like that.”
McCalvin said that the residents of Marlow continue to be strong and many are still performing above and beyond the call of duty, especially at the First Baptist Church.
Meanwhile in Duncan, the Stephens County disaster relief shelter at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center has officially closed its doors as of 9 a.m. Saturday. According to Carrie Norton of the Red Cross, those residents who were still living at the shelter have worked with the Red Cross to find solutions for them as the living aspect of the shelter closes. However, the Baptist Disaster Relief is going to continue preparing meals for the Marlow Shelter and the chainsaw crews are still providing services based from the Fair & Expo Center.
Duncan Power has officially restored all power to the City of Duncan as of Friday. Duncan Power Director David Yeager said that there are 10 or less customers that had to seek assistance form personal electricians, and approximately five additional service addresses that have been disconnected because they are in need of repair by personal electricians. Repairs had not started on these properties as of 2 p.m. Friday. Yeager did say that Duncan has one city sewer lift station that is operated by Cotton Electric that still does not have power, but a generator has been connected to that location to continue service.
Gary Ball of the Stephens County Emergency Management, wanted to restate that as of now, there is still no FEMA assistance for individuals in Stephens County for reimbursement for generators, chainsaws, debris removal, hotels or food vouchers. Stephens County has applied for federal disaster relief, but it has still not been approved. Also, the Duncan Baptist Mullins Association is still offering itsservices for limb removal from roofs or power lines of homes and limbs that may blocking entrances and exits from homes free of charge. Only homeowners may make the request, and renters should contact their landlords to apply for the service. They will not be cleaning up additional limbs and debris from homeowner’s yards. Homeowners are also being asked that when debris removal is finished, to pile the debris at the edge of the lawn and not in the streets. Duncan currently does not have a plan set for debris removal.
The Red Cross is also accepting donations for the replacement of funds that were disbursed during the winter storm. Donations can be made by calling 580-355-2481.
— Kevin Kerr is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 147, or via e-mail at kevin.kerr@duncanbanner.com.
