From the Top with CEO Patrick Grace

If you were like me last month, you were stocked up with the staples and ready for a much-hyped winter storm. Lucky for us, Winter Storm Diego didn't materialize here in Oklahoma, but all of OEC was ready if it had.

There are two pretty difficult things to predict about winter storms: to what degree they will affect the electrical system, and, apparently, where they will strike. One thing that's certain is they are by far the most destructive to electrical systems than any other weather event we face in Oklahoma.

Anytime we hear talk of a winter storm heading our way, we take every precaution necessary. That includes having extra supplies and material on hand, ensuring contracted construction crews are on standby, loading up on snacks to help fuel the linemen as they prepare to work 18-hour days, planning meals for 100-plus workers for an extended number of days and more. Had Winter Storm Diego reared its head, we were ready.

One thing that makes winter storms so impactful is when the ice initially accumulates, outages occur by trees falling on the lines, bringing down poles in a domino effect (among other factors). Then, when it begins to melt, outages occur again as tree limbs lift back to normal — this is one of the reasons we prioritize vegetation management so highly.

The good news is our system is much more capable of withstanding winter storms now than it ever has been. This can be attributed to a few different factors, one of them being our pole change-outs to prepare for the added weight of fiber lines has simultaneously strengthened our system.

No matter what happens, you can always keep up with safety tips and live outage updates on our social media channels — especially Facebook and Twitter.

Have a great New Year, and stay safe out there.