Snow and Ice

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The ice storm bearing down on Oklahoma this week is just another in a growing list of major storms to hit the state over the last decade. One weather historian says the frequency of major ice storms has gone up dramatically over the last decade.

Since 2000, the state has experienced seven major ice storms with ice totals of more than an inch; that doesn't happen by accident.

Since the mid 80s, the state's winter temperatures have been much higher than the historical average.

"A warmer atmosphere means more water, so when it does rain there's more rain. That then causes damage in form of ice or snow," says Gary McManus.

The bad news is winter trends don't change overnight.

Gary doesn't expect the ice storms to stop any time soon.

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OKLAHOMA CITY -- With the snow and ice headed our way, Oklahomans are pouring into local supermarkets and hardware stores to get supplies. Truckloads of generators are arriving at O'Connors Lawn and Garden Store in OKC.

Shaun O'Connor of O'Connors Lawn and Garden said, "A lot of people remember 2007 where we had a massive ice storm that shut down power for days, weeks. So, we have been going crazy."

Off the delivery trucks and into customers' truck beds, customers like Sandy Payne were anxious to get one. In Sandy's husband's case, it's a life or death situation without power.

Sandy Payne said, "He's on oxygen now. It runs on electricity and that's what keeps him breathing. Without power, he can't breathe."

O'Connors has sold about 200 generators in just the past two days.

Their last truckload will be in Thursday morning.

Skating?

LadyAnne