The tornadoes and severe weather that hit central Oklahoma in the past week left so much extensive damage that Oklahoma Gas & Electric increased its number of crews to 2,800 to help restore power.
By Friday night, about 60% of customer power had been restored from a peak of 23,000 that lost power Wednesday night when tornadoes left heavy damage to Shawnee and Cole. By Saturday, power restoration was up to 70%. Three persons died around the McClain County town of Cole.
The storm damage is extensive reported OG&E. Crews have identified more than 600 broken power poles, 110 damaged transmission structures, cross arms and other equipment attached to poles.
By Monday, the utility expected 96% of its customers to have power restored.