Ice storm a U.S. Midwest killer

TULSA, Okla., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- An ice storm is being blamed for at least 13 deaths in Oklahoma and leaving as least 240,000 without electricity.

Most of the homes and businesses without power were in the Tulsa metropolitan area, The Oklahoman reported Monday. Tulsa International Airport also was in the dark, and hospitals relied on generators, The Tulsa World reported.

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. announced Monday that power restoration work will continue through this week and possibly longer, The Oklahoman said. A small number of OG&E customers still could be out of power seven to ten days from now, company spokesman Gil Broyles said.

The storm, which felled trees and power lines, was expected to affect the region through Wednesday, reports said.

The Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat quoted forecasters as advising drivers to use particular caution on bridges and overpasses.

By Sunday, much of the ice-slickened parts of the state were under as much as 5 inches of snow, the report said.

There were scattered power outages throughout the region during the weekend due to ice buildup on power lines, the reports said.