88-year-old man left without power days after story
MARSHALL, Okla. (KFOR) — Days after a violent thunderstorm swept across central Oklahoma, many are still in the dark including an 88-year-old man.
Bill Cardin is one of thousands of Oklahoman's who lost power during Tuesday night's storm.
"When you get my age, everything you do is a struggle. You know, it's just a struggle," said Cardin. "I finally looked out that window and seen the limb and the line was on the ground.”
Three days later, nothing changed.
"I had to go to the bathroom of course overnight, and I like bumped into everything in the house. There wasn't any light at all in the house," said Cardin.
On Wednesday, Cardin said an OG&E worker told his grandson that getting the power back on won't be an easy fix.
"They said I'd have to set a pole and move the meter before they turn the electricity back on,” said Cardin.
OG&E confirmed that in a statement to News 4:
We understand that changes to service equipment can be confusing, especially when it involves long-standing setups. In this instance, damage caused by a tree to the meter loop has necessitated a change. For safety and compliance reasons, we cannot reinstall the meter in its previous configuration on our transformer pole. The responsibility for the meter pole lies with the consumer.
To ensure continued service and adherence to current safety codes, we provided an installation diagram for the customer to set up a new meter pole. This will involve setting up a correct meter loop on a meter pole positioned between our transformer pole and the customer's home.
We work closely with our customers to support them through such transitions, ensuring they understand the requirements and have the necessary resources to meet them. Our commitment is to maintain safe and efficient service while upholding the standards of service and safety.
OG&E spokesperson
“I'll be 89 the third the next month, 100-degree temperatures out," said Cardin.
On top of that, Cardin has several health conditions.
He says loved ones have been stopping by multiple times a day to fill a generator with fuel just so he can have air conditioning.
"I don't have any power. Everybody else around does," said Cardin.
He says he doesn't know how much longer he can go without electricity.
"I just don't believe that they did me right," said Cardin.