Tulsa Severe Thunderstorm 8-8-2011

Update: 10:45 AM, 8/7/2011

Severe thunderstorms developed across the Tulsa metro area around 6:30 pm, Saturday, August 6, bringing frequent lightning, high winds and heavy rain.  The storms knocked out power initially to approximately 19,000 PSO customers in Tulsa.  Outages occurred across the metro area, but the greatest concentration of damage to PSO’s system occurred in an area bounded roughly by Lewis Ave. and Sheridan Rd. and from 31st St. to Admiral Blvd.

PSO began responding immediately to the emergency, calling in all available local PSO crews and contractors, and bringing in additional resources from across PSO’s service area and elsewhere.  Crews worked through the night to make repairs and restore power.

Tulsa, OK4,000
Total:4,000

Tulsa, OK: Majority of remaining outages concentrated in central Tulsa but there are numerous single-customer outages scattered across the metro area.

Damage to PSO’s system was significant.  Nineteen main feeder power lines were knocked out of service, and approximately 40 poles and many cross-arms were broken and at least 20 transformers needed replacement.

All of the feeder lines have now been either fully or partially restored to service.

On Sunday, resources working to complete the storm recovery include 32 line crews, 38 servicers, 12 wire-down teams and 10 tree crews.  PSO continues to bring in significant numbers of additional resources which will join the recovery effort.

PSO projects it will complete restoring power to all customers who can take service by Noon, Monday August 8, 2011.

Never touch a downed utility wire, no matter how harmless it looks. It can be difficult to distinguish between a power line and a cable or telephone line. All downed lines should be considered energized and dangerous. And don't touch anything in contact with the line, such as trees, fences or puddles of water, since they can conduct electricity. Keep children and pets away from this potential hazard. Call PSO to report any downed lines or equipment.

In the event of a major power interruption, life-support customers are encouraged to contact PSO's toll-free customer service number to advise our representatives of their situation. Due to the nature of restoration activity, PSO cannot assure priority restoration for life-support customers. Life-support customers are advised to take precautionary measures to protect themselves in the event of a power loss. Contact relatives or friends for assistance or temporary accommodations in the event of a prolonged outage. Keep emergency phone numbers (physicians, hospitals, safety services, utilities) posted near your telephone.

If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your circuit box. Portable generators "backfeed" electricity up the line and risk the lives of repair workers and the public. Follow the manufacturers' instructions carefully, and plug essential appliances directly into the generator. See additional information about use of .

PSO cannot connect power to any home or business where there is damage to the service entrance. The service entrance is the area located 1) at the meter, 2) between the meter and the home's electrical panel, or 3) the location where PSO's cable connects to the home/business owner's cable. Customers need to have a qualified electrician repair this damage before power can be restored to the home or business.

PSO asks customers affected by the power outage, including those who must leave their homes, to turn off all lights and appliances – including heating or air conditioning systems – to prevent circuit overload situations as power is restored to their homes. Customers should be extra cautious in making sure nothing is left cooking on kitchen ranges. One light can be left on, so customers will know when power is restored.

Residents without power are asked not to stop crew trucks as this will only slow down repairs. PSO asks for your patience and understanding during the restoration process. In many areas, crews must rebuild significant portions of electric facilities to restore power.

8/7/2011, 5:00 PM CT

Oklahoma (PSO) Customer Service

(888) 218-3919