Snow, Sleet, Bitter Cold Affects Oklahoma and Heads East!

Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate winter and this winter in Oklahoma seems to be a lot longer than most.  Usually by now my daffodils are blooming but this year are just coming up through the snow/sleet that came down Sunday.  Daffodils get morning sun so they are always out early but this year full sun has not been that plentiful either compared to the past.

Yesterday at 2:00 in the afternoon it seemed like dusk it was so dark -- finally this afternoon the the temperatures are 23 degrees after spending most of the morning around 10 degrees and at one time the child factor hit -12 below.  Feel like I am back in Ohio not in Oklahoma.  Finally this afternoon snow is melting off the rooftops but now saying it will be dangerous driving tonight as it refreezes.  Hibernated yesterday and doing the same today.  There is absolutely no reason to go outside -- none!

Welcome to winter in Norman, Oklahoma that doesn't want to end!

Picture was taken in the afternoon and after that more came down and streets became totally covered in Norman.  This shows how dark it was yesterday afternoon.  (Norman Transcript)

March 3, 2014 

Layer of ice causes closures, wrecks 

By Jessica BruhaThe Norman Transcript 

NORMAN — After a layer of ice covered roadways this weekend, several area schools canceled classes and activities for today. School closures included Norman, Moore and Noble Public Schools, the University of Oklahoma and Moore Norman Technology Center. 

Oklahoma Highway Patrol stayed extremely busy responding to accidents due to the slick roadways. Lt. Brian Orr said officers responded to 25 to 30 accidents in Cleveland County alone Sunday, many being non-injury accidents. 

“There have been some minor injury accidents, but nothing major,” Orr said. “They’ve been mainly on the interstate.” 

Norman dispatch reported Sunday the police department stopped responding to non-injury accidents and no major collisions occurred. Norman Fire Department reported they did not respond to any weather-related calls Sunday. 

National Weather Service Meteorologist Marc Austin said the Norman area received anywhere from an eighth of an inch to maybe a half-inch of snow and sleet Sunday, with a half-inch possibly being a little inflated of a number. 

Austin said Sunday night there should have been a transition from sleet to snow with more cold air filtering into Oklahoma. There was a possibility for an inch to an inch-and-a-half of snow overnight in the area, he said. 

Low temperatures Monday morning were expected to be in the single digits with wind chills anywhere from -5 to -12, Austin said. In addition, any precipitation that fell Sunday night will most likely stick, causing roadways to still be slick today. 

Highs for Monday will be around 20 degrees, he said. However, it will warm up and melt off later in the week, with temperatures getting closer to the 50s by Wednesday. 

More stories at The Norman Transcript

When the University of Oklahoma closed early last night, you knew that the weather was getting worse and would be a mess today with the roads.  This has to be the most snow days for schools since we have lived in Oklahoma.  Just don't remember the bitter cold that we are seeing this year -- maybe once a year but this is becoming a habit.

After the win against University of Texas in men's basketball on Saturday, don't mind hibernating for two days!

Here's looking forward to warmer temperatures later this week but hearing another storm headed in next week.  Ready for spring!

Boomer Sooner!

The Clean Energy Economy is Working!

When I received this email from The White House, it struck a chord as the home we bought in Yucaipa, CA, in 1982 had solar panels on the red tile roof to provide all the hot water we needed.  We had a 30 gallon back-up hot water tank that was barely used except for a few nights when the temperatures in the foothills were going below freezing.  The rest of the year we would be on 100% solar hot water with an 80 gallon hot water tank.  Our gas bills in the summer were $4.50 and that was fees.  It was a brand new home with the solar hot water that sold us on the home over another one that was similar with no solar hot water.  We were looking to buy after moving from Beavercreek, Ohio, when my husband was transferred from Wright-Patterson AFB to Norton AFB to work on the M-X Missile and Minuteman programs.  My favorite place to live was Southern California for a host of reasons.  Going back East was not my idea of a great transfer -- considered it the worst ever to end up in Massachusetts where they were still heating with fuel oil which came in big trucks to fill up this huge tank with the huge bill.  I grew up in a home in Ohio with natural gas.

We went from energy efficiency with clean water from our taps that came from mountains also sold by Arrowhead Water as bottled water to having to buy water because the water in that area was contaminated since their lakes were contaminated by dumping of chemicals from their manufacturing over the years. Less then impressed not to mention the people were rude.  All I wanted to do was go back to our home in California and forget I ever knew Massachusetts.

Funny thing was when we eventually got the transfer to Kelly AFB in San Antonio after a stop back at Wright-Patt, I ran into more women whose husbands had been stationed at Fort Devins who hated that area as much as I did -- not one person liked living there.  They didn't even have cable TV or video stores in the area like we had in SoCal and an archaic school system on top of everything else with small little groceries unless you drove 40 miles which I did.  Dukakis may be the worst education governor I have ever seen in the states where we have lived.  My daughter in 3rd grade was learning what she had in 2nd grade in CA.  Then there was the very old school which had the old floors like I had when I went to school before they built the new elementary in my small home town and we went there to school.

You cannot fathom my shock at going to fuel oil from natural gas, solar, and cheap electricity we had in Yucaipa.  Our average summer bill was $15 combined and our winter bill was $79 a month combined in Yucaipa. We went to over $600 a month in MA for inefficiency -- you could say I was less then happy which is an understatement.  Went from a laundry room off my kitchen to laundry in the basement where half the floor was dirt so I went to the laundromat -- not about to go down those rickety steps to a basement that flooded when the snow melted or it rained.

That was 1986 and we were paying $1400 a month rent -- only house we could find that could take our furniture which was an updated (their words) farm house.  No one we knew even thought of energy efficiency in that area.  We had little to no insulation in the house, couldn't use the fireplace -- too dangerous so we ran the hot water radiators with fuel oil.  When I asked about natural gas, the owner laughed in my face.  It was hard to take Massachusetts on many levels with energy efficiency being one of them.   That night at the end of May when the movers pulled out after loading the truck, I told my husband I am not spending one more night in this ... state so we drove to New York.

Our automatic windows quit working on our station wagon that spent most of the winter in a damp garage never leaving it because of the ice in the circular driveway.  The lady at the toll booth said not to open my door but to roll down the window to pay the toll -- I opened up the door, threw the money at her and told her to take the whole archaic state of MA and shove it!  Got back in my car and drove into New York with my kids laughing like crazy.  It was funny hearing my older two tell their Dad what had happened.

It took all these years with Republicans killing the solar energy credits to get a utility company which believes in clean energy here in Norman, OK.  My average bill a month for the whole year is $95 for OGE and ONG combined.  Getting natural gas back from all electric homes was awesome when we moved to this home in 2001.  Add to that OGE's clean energy efforts to keep from building more coal fired power plants by taking stimulus money and implementing the Smart Grid with Smart Meters across over 90% of Oklahoma in less time then they predicted along with installing wind mill farms across the state has made me one happy consumer.

Norman is on wind energy power today -- started with the University of Oklahoma and then spread to the City Norman.  Feel so fortunate to live in Norman where clean energy is supported by the residents. I am on 100% wind power and love the Smart Meter in the summer time which has cut my energy costs here.   Next up in becoming energy efficient is the sun porch with putting in new windows and a door. Already have done the insulation to the sun porch which helped a lot but now needs new windows and door.  Next winter plastic will not be over the windows to keep the cold out and the last several days it has been very cold.

Fully support the Clean Energy initiatives.  It is great to see the progress that is being made.  Don't think it is too much for all of us to ask for cleaner air, cleaner water, and less cost for energy we use every day by becoming more energy efficient.

Every month when I pay our utility bill from OGE, I donate to a fund to help people who cannot afford their electricity.   Was asked last year by a Republican I know after I said I donated every month to the fund, "Why?"  Went on to say the people taking advantage are losers and don't deserve help.  Told him what I thought of his statement and now he never comes near me.  All that pent-up anger at the selfish, self-centered, obnoxious, arrogant GOP came out.  I wouldn't want to talk to me again either.

The very idea that we are not supposed to help those less fortunate goes against everything I believe. When you have to decide between food, medicine, or heat because you are laid off, work for the minimum wage, or you get so little from social security then there is something wrong with the system. The vast majority of people are not unemployed because they want to be.  A lot of people who are working a full-time job at the minimum wage cannot afford everything which a travesty in this Country. We have lower ranking military who are on food stamps because they have a family to feed.  That's just wrong.  Will continue to contribute every month as many Oklahomans do across this State to help others.  It is not the average Oklahoman, it is our stupid elected officials who are sent to DC who are the problem.  Oklahoma is very giving state as we show in times of natural disasters -- shame our cheapskate elected officials missed the boat.

This news is great for America and American families from the Obama Administration initiatives for clean energy now we all need to do our part in making it even better!

The Clean Energy Economy in Three Charts

Dan Utech

January 06, 2014 

05:10 PM EST

Over the last five years, American inventors and investors have delivered significant progress in developing and deploying key clean energy technologies, supported by Administration policies.  Electricity production from solar and wind has doubled.  Our cars and trucks go further on a gallon of gasoline, saving families money at the pump.  And in 2012, U.S. carbon pollution fell to its lowest level in nearly 20 years. The simple fact is that key clean energy technology costs are continuing to come down, and these technologies are producing more American energy than ever before.

Wind Energy

In 2012, wind was America’s largest source of new electricity generation capacity, accounting for 43 percent of all new installations. Altogether the United States has deployed about 60 gigawatts of wind power — enough to power 15 million homes. This growth in wind deployment has spurred more U.S. manufacturing.  A recent DOE wind market report estimates 72 percent of the wind turbine equipment installed in the United States last year was made by domestic manufacturers, nearly tripling from 25 percent in 2006-2007. And according to the American Wind Energy Association, by 2012 there were well over 80,000 workers employed in wind-related jobs in the U.S. 

Supported by Administration investments, generation of electricity from wind and solar has more than doubled, and the costs of solar and wind technologies have come down significantly.  

Solar Energy

Since 2008, the price of solar panels has fallen by 75 percent, and solar installations have increased by a factor of 13. Administration support has helped to launch some largest solar projects in the world, and renewable energy permitting on federal lands has gone from virtually zero to nearly 50 approved solar, wind and geothermal utility-scale projects on public lands, since 2009, including associated transmission corridors and infrastructure to connect to established power grids. When built, these projects add up to more than 13,300 megawatts – enough energy to power 4.6 million homes and support more than 19,000 construction and operations jobs.

See White House website for details on Better Vehicles that are meeting clean energy standards as the third leg of the clean energy initiative.

Norman, OK, Sanitation Rate Information

Unlike many Republicans that reside in Norman who don't believe in any increase ever for anything, I support the rate increase. The Mayor is correct that we have the best sanitation service. We have lived in other parts of the Country and nothing has ever compared to the great service we get in Norman. Too many Republicans who don't even live in Norman jump on the anti-rate increase for not only the city but for the school issues. If you don't live here, stay out of our elections but then they couldn't grandstand.

There are some people here who vote "no" on everything no matter what it is. Is that a thinking person who cannot decipher what is important and what is not? Not in my book!

Mayor Rosenthal I believe has done a very good job as Mayor and why I supported her for both of her elections.  She may be the best Mayor we have experienced.  It is a non-partisan position so I voted my conscience.  In her first race, the Republicans ran a developer who hardly voted -- will never vote for a developer for Mayor any place after having them on the County Commission in San Bernardino County, CA,  because they do not have the best interest of the citizens in mind.

In the last Mayor election a Republican challenged Rosenthal and ran on 'Don't hump my Norman' about all the speed bumps in neighborhoods. Then we find out he was the first Council Member to request the speed bumps in his neighborhood. Guess they figure voters are not going to catch on or do any research. When the truth came out the spin and the misinformation increased on his behalf. It was disgusting but then we have some in this County that love to keep things stirred up and why I have essentially dropped out of County Party politics.

Hope this is one time that the local members of the Republican Party get their head on straight and support this increase of around 8 cents a day to keep our great sanitation service. I wouldn't bet on it.

Dear Friend,

Across the state, Norman sets the standard for top notch services and a high quality of life, and for the two years in the row, our community was recognized for its leadership by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. On March 1, Norman voters will decide whether to continue that record of quality public services or take a step back.

You are being asked to approve an increase in sanitation rates in the City of Norman to sustain the great garbage services in this community. Since the last rate increase in 2004, the cost of disposing a ton of garbage has gone from $73 to $112, a 53 percent increase. We have achieved significant efficiencies, using less fuel today than in 2008 and serving 14% more customers per employee than in 2004. The rate request is a modest one (about 8 cents more a day).

No one provides the quality of service that our sanitation workers do, and our services are very efficient and cost-effective. Independent experts have described our services as "well-run." Our service costs per customer per square mile are less than half or two-thirds of other cities. Even with the increase, Norman's rates also will remain at or below other cities around the state.

Nothing is more basic than dependable garbage service, and this is no time for Norman to take steps backwards. Our current rates will not support the current services, and we project a $2 million deficit within three years without a rate increase.

The choice is simple - for 8 cents more a day we can continue high quality sanitation services for our homes and businesses. Please vote "Yes" on March 1.

Sincerely,

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal

Congressman Cole and Congresswoman Fallin returning from DC to survey the damage in the 4th District

The above picture was of a Country Boy grocery store which sat on Highway 9 east of Norman that served the eastern part of the County. Damage similar to that is throughout a 40 square mile area.

Today Congressman Cole will be back in the district shortly to receive briefings from the Sheriff and the Mayor on yesterdays tornadoes that roared through Cleveland County and other parts of his 4th District. There are generator issues caused by the tornado at Lake Thunderbird which is a source of water for the local communities including Norman. This area is on water rationing because there is also trouble at Lake Stanley Draper where Oklahoma City gets some of their water.

Congresswoman Fallin will be in Seminole to view their damage. A helicopter belonging to the OU Medical Center which was on a run was damaged at the Seminole and can no longer fly.

For several days the National Weather Service (NWS) here in Norman was warning residents of Oklahoma that yesterday was going to have the conditions ripe for a tornado outbreak across Oklahoma. They nailed that one. Was out for lunch when the initial warnings hit but nothing much was showing up on radar. Within a short time storms started showing up on radar and a tornado was on the ground in the Yukon area. The outbreak of severe weather including tornadoes exploded from there ahead of a dry line that was moving through the state.

Yesterday was a day for storm chasers. Not only does the NWS use storm chasers but out local TV stations all have storm chasers to video the storms and alert the stations to where the storms are going next and how fast they are growing. If you have power, you watch the local stations track these storms block by block so you know where the storms are going and if the rotation in the wall clouds are on the ground as the tornadoes drop to the group.

The 'Norman' tornado started with a white wisp on the TV screen that was sent back to the station by a storm chaser just a short distance from the National Weather Service and Storms Prediction Center at the corner of Jenkins and Highway 9 in Norman. You could say they were ground zero for the start of what is now dubbed the 'Norman' tornado which continued to grow knocking cars off of Hwy 9 on its way to growing larger and larger reaching at least a mile wide by the time it reached counties to the east of Cleveland County. Storm Chasers in the Channel 9 helicopter sent back pictures as this tornado gained strength and grew over Lake Thunderbird. This tornado then slammed Little Axe and Tecumseh and kept going east causing damage for miles.

There was also a tornado just a few miles north of Norman happening at the same time as the Norman tornado which took out three of the huge high voltage power lines snapping them in two like toothpicks. That one hit Lake Stanley Draper and caused problems for the Oklahoma City water supply. The rotation in the clouds was very visible but the tornadoes in some instances became rain wrapped especially the Norman one that picked up moisture out of Lake Thunderbird where it took out the Marina and tossed boats. The Marina is now floating in the lake.

Another tornado on I-40 closed the interstate due to cars and trucks being tossed around and in the Choctaw area took out Love's Country store where many of us have stopped over the years while traveling I-40 back to OKC/Norman.

Damage is everywhere in the area south and north of the main parts of Norman. We believe because of all the advance warning we had, more lives were not lost or injuries because when the word goes out in Oklahoma the conditions are ripe for tornado outbreaks, people listen. One of the trailer parks that was hard hit has a safe room for residents which meant even though their homes were destroyed they remained safe in the shelter.

There have been seven deaths so far and crews are doing a second search of a 49-square-mile area hard hit by tornadoes Monday night.

We are thankful for having two members of Congress that immediately made plans to return to the area to see how they could help. The 4th District is so fortunate to have Tom Cole as our Congressman because he is always there for the District and this is just one more example.

Congresswoman Fallin is the same way for the 5th District which includes a large portion of Oklahoma City and counties to the east that were hit especially hard.

Our prayers and thoughts are with those who lost loved ones and friends and to the people who are injured and lost everything when their homes were destroyed. Oklahomans will rebuild and once again we will see that spirit of neighbor helping neighbor that this State has the reputation.

One bright spot is the fact that the NWS was right in the center of the Norman tornado forming and the data they will have collected will be priceless to use in tornado prediction.

Read more about yesterday's tornadoes at The Oklahoman