Ice Storm Report  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Friday, January 12, 2007, we were faced with a very devastating ice storm. We experienced sleet, snow and ice for three days. Needless to say, we lost electricity. The dorms, the school, and the church were without electricity. To compensate for the lack of power and to provide such necessities as heat, water, and meal preparation, we had to purchase generators as well as three radiant wall gas heaters. We purchased three gas generators at $600 each and one at $800. The gas for the generators was around $300. The three radiant wall gas heaters were $550 each. The total expenditures (not including cleanup) were $4,550.

The students were as comfortable as we possibly could make them under the circumstances. We were without electricity for eight days at the school and the dormitories. The electricity at the church was turned back on by Tuesday, after only five days. There was a lot of cleanup to be done. There were fallen trees and other debris around the school. There was some help from the National Guard. There has been considerable expense as you can imagine from the purchases made and the cleanup. The pictures do not really show the extreme damage that was done. We received damage in Joplin, where we live, as well, and were without electricity. However, when we drove into Neosho, we were astonished at the damage. I said, "It looks like a tornado has gone through Neosho." Another statement made was that Neosho "looked like a war zone!"

At present, the school has many needs because of the expenditures for generators and the cleanup. Donations would really be appreciated and are tax deductible. Mark your donation "storm damage." When you have seen the need, you have always responded. For testimonials and more pictures of the storm, you can go to our website: www.obiweb.org.  The expenditures are listed under "Needs."–Editor Wallace E. Joice