Ice Storm '07: Numbers & Lessons

It's been one week since the great Ice Storm of 2007 rolled into the Ozarks.

As of this writing . . .

Approximately 85,000 Missourians remain without power. Virtually all of them are in Southwest Missouri. About 20,000 Springfield residents still don't have their lights back on. 12 people statewide have died as a result of the storm; 7 from traffic accidents, 5 from carbon monoxide poisoning. 4,300 residents remain in 119 shelters statewide. Governor Matt Blunt estimates the storm has cost well over a million dollars so far. That does not include the $400,000 dollars it has cost to deploy the Missouri National Guard. 520 Guard troops remain on duty in the Ozarks area, going door-to-door and clearing debris in 34 counties declared federal disaster areas. 8 FEMA & SEMA teams will move into the Ozarks early next week to assess federal assistance.

Watch my lates KY3 News @ 10 report HERE.

After spending a week covering this storm and almost every angle possible, here's what I've learned:

*Most people, even without power, are not in imminent danger anymore. They are getting ornery and annoyed. But for the most part they are well-fed, warm and clean.

*Churches and neighbors are the reason so many people are ok, even without power. These volunteers are compassionate, determined, effective -- and incredibly positive. Communities wouldn't do as well without them.

*There's a great yearning for more specificity from City Utilities. Most rational people don't doubt they're working hard . . . really hard. But people want some type of timeline. There has to be a method to the madness of restoration. It may be complex and for some, it may be bad news, but people want candor about when their power will come back on. Will it be by Sunday? Or should they start thinking about hotels or shelters for next week? Is it really possible that CU doesn't know or can't tell us? Even general geographic information would go along way. A little openness would earn trust and respect from the public and provide CU good-will and political capital for the next big disaster.

*Driving is still more likely to kill you in Springfield than the cold. That's because lots of traffic lights are still either out or just flashing, and people are unsure what to do. The city has told people to treat those areas as 4-way stops. But what about at intersections where one direction is flashing yellow and the other is flashing red? You can roll right through a yellow, right? Or do you stop? Some are flying through intersections; others are more cautious, but risk being rear-ended. It's confusing out there. And if a light is on and blinking, why can't they program it to function fully again?

*Everyone's really tired and getting cranky. That just doesn't mean people going on day 7 without power. It means public officials, workers and yes, even the media. It's tough digging up fresh stories with new angles, perspectives and visuals to hold your attention. It's a real challenge, and a balancing act at times of providing you essential information with compelling personal stories. But then again, as one woman who stopped me at the YMCA yesterday said, "It's just reassuring to see you guys on."