Ice storm people, how's the clean up going in your area?

[Skidmore]

We got an estimate on taking care of the tree damage on our property and it'll come to $400--our insurance deductible is higher than that so it'll be out of pocket for us. At least the company will mulch all of it and leave it for us to use. That'll save a lot of money in the summer. The ice isn't melting off much yet. Some of the nearby communities may be out of electricity for a few more days. Roads are passable, even if the driveway is not negotiable yet. It is a veritable skating rink. We got someone who will bring a sand truck over later. Thank goodness I bought extra toilet paper last trip to the store.

[MuseRider]

1. Slow.

Many without power and they say it will be a week for many of them. Ours came back on last night thankfully. So many of my big old trees are breaking off large branches, it is so sad, they are small but old forests. The roads have been taken care of apparently and that is really unusual out here.

It is bad enough that when I walked to the barn in my ice walkers I slipped and fell down. No purchase at all but tomorrow will be a thaw day.

[MadHound]

2. Mid Missouri

We're doing OK, the roads are pretty clear, and we've managed to hang on to electric here, though we've still got a tree limb hanging on a power line, and I have no idea how long before the electric company comes by. Probably tomorrow, since they are really having to do some major clean up south of here in Jeff City, Holt Summit, Fulton, etc.

I've got a bunch of limbs to cut down and cut up, some of the oaks shed some pretty big limbs. Other than that, and some orchard damage, I'm OK. Pisses me off though, I had other outside plans for my break, and now they're on hold until I cut everything into firewood.

I think that we're out of the worst of it, though we've got tonight with freezing fog and some light snow. But its supposed to hit forty tomorrow, so some thawing will occur.

Sorry that you got structural damage, we lucked out on that. I'll be glad when this is thawed out and gone, I'm sick of it. Hope that nothing worse happens to you, take care and stay safe:hi:

[KatyaR]

3. Oklahoma City here

I've never seen anything like this--three days after the storm hit, we still have HUGE chunks of OKC without power. Many businesses have been closed since Sunday, and there are many traffic lights still out on major intersections. According to the news, 1 out of every 3 Oklahomans are without power. The streets cleared up by Tuesday morning, and the temps have hovered in the mid 30s (even though in the southeastern part of the state yesterday it was 72 degrees--WTF?).

As for me, I came home tonight to electricity for the first time since Monday noon. The power had gone out twice before then but came back on at some point. My neighborhood has a lot of old trees, and I think it's safe to say that every tree and large shrub in this area has been damaged or destroyed. As late as yesterday morning, there were still power lines down in the streets. It basically looks like a tornado came through here. One of my coworkers actually had a tree come through her roof.

The most beautiful sight I've ever seen was 50-plus out-of-state utility trucks parading down May Avenue this morning with their emergency lights on. It made me want to cry. Three nights without heat and lights is about all these old bones can take.

I'm so grateful to be sitting here with lights and internet and microwaved soup (all the food in my fridge has to be trashed), I can't tell you. The city has actually opened up the Cox Convention Center tonight for use as a shelter--it's that bad.

BIG, BIG kisses to all those folks from out of state that are here to help--we appreciate you giving up your precious December holiday time more than you'll ever know.