Bad Weather Grips Midwest, Edmond, Oklahoma

For days, heavy ice and rain storms have wreaked havoc on the Midwest causing accidents, power outages and headaches for nearly everyone. Here in northern Oklahoma City, where I'm living, the full extent of these ice storms is completely clear. With ice accumulation at one inch and growing, collapsing trees and dangerous roads have become more of a problem for commuters as businesses and school shut down for safety.

In my own apartment complex, three or four massive trees have snapped and are blocking all ways in or out. One of my neighbors woke up to find a tree on his car. One particular curve in the apartments has welled up with ice and caused one man to crash into the front of my car.

Even with response teams working the best they can, the ice is stubborn and continues to bring down trees and power lines throughout the Midwest. Highways and bridges are the most effected. All weather services are asking people not to drive unless it's completely necessary. I discovered right away how right they were. It was a struggle to keep the car on the road at just 15 miles per hour.

The roads have never been worse. I alone have been in two minor accidents caused by the road conditions, and with Oklahoma deaths already being reported, I'm getting the hint to stay put.

More precipitation is predicted to be coming our way, leaving most communities effected by the ice stuck at home. Holiday shopping will have to be postponed for most of Oklahoma, but then again, the ice provides for the perfect opportunity to warm up by the fire and enjoy the winter weather.

In the meantime, many people like my neighbor struggle with the natural disaster in a more personal way. Although a tow service was able to pull out the man who hit my car, a frozen tree is something different. Like him, many Oklahomans are having to pull out their tools and take matters into their own hands. Slowly my neighbor began trimming apart the tree but the tree was just too heavy to be budged.

The ice storms brewing across the Midwest came fast and caught nearly everyone off guard, but with this new reality check, Oklahomans along with many Americans, are becoming more prepared for mother nature's worst. With power shortages and collapsed trees still a problem, most Oklahomans like myself are making the best of a bad deal by keeping warm and staying safe.