Freezing Rain and Blowing Winds Equal a Bad Combination

Oklahoma City, OK - Rusty Surette

"This could be a very very dangerous winter storm."

Governor Brad Henry says heed the warnings.

"This storm has real potential to be dangerous and bottom line i want people to be ready for it and be aware."

Across the metro, grocery and hardware stores were flooded with people preparing for the possibility of ice and snow.

They are taking the words of the weather man very seriously.

Sondra Howser wasn't ready for last month's blizzard. She refuses to risk it now. "

"Well I got de-icer and candles, everything they told me to get"

No laughing matter for those in charge of public safety. OG&E says utility crews are ready to respond in full force.

"It presents a number of challenges. Ice is our worst nightmare. We've seen what it can do in the past."

In the 2007 ice storm, nearly 300-thousand OG&E customers lost power. That's why crews are already lining up their resources and equipment this week.

Alford says they're bracing for what could be a bad case of Deja-Vu.

If you look at the icing that may occur and the wind potential that we're
seeing it could cause equal damage, maybe more, maybe less

There's also the snow and highway hazards, street crews say they'll begin spreading salt brine in Oklahoma City on Thursday, and once precipitation begins to fall, they're work will pick up.

"The motoring public needs to be able to get from point a to point b and so we need to make sure there is no potholes there and there if snow or ice we need to try and clear that."