(ABOVE: This map from the Tulsa NWS shows the amount of ice build-up from the freezing rain event of January 26-27, 2009)
How thick does freezing rain need to be before power lines and electric service fail?
There's not an "official" amount where trouble starts, but:
-Ice thickness totals of 0.50" (half of an inch of ice sticking to tree limbs or whatever) can cause problems to trees and powerlines.
-Power loss is more likely than not in areas of 0.75".
-Any total of 1.00"+ indicates significant icing and usually widespread power loss. If it looks like a bomb exploded in the trees, then it's probably one inch or more coating of ice!
The map also shows where the worst power outages occurred as Tahlequah, Westville and northwest Arkansas suffered. Power loss occurred near Muskogee and Checotah also, but many folks are now powered up.
(Below: Snow totals from January 26-27, 2009. Map courtesy: Tulsa NWS)
