The ice storm that ravaged the area and caused power outages for thousands of customers will cost the American Red Cross at least $250,000.

That cost will be more if relief is needed more than a few more days, said Hope Margarit of the Muskogee Red Cross office.

Margarit said the Red Cross needs donations from individuals and businesses to help pay its expenses.

She said at least 100 Red Cross volunteers were taking meals to at least 1,450 people in Cherokee and Adair counties Friday and to West Siloam Springs in Delaware County.

Eight emergency response vehicles were in the field covering 90 percent of Adair County and 50 percent of Cherokee County, Margarit said.

The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief kitchen has moved to the Baptist Church Camp in Cookson, she said.

The city of Muskogee racked up expenses for sand, salt and overtime, but the total won’t be known until sometime next week, said Jim Wixom of the Muskogee Public Works Authority.

Those overtime costs keep adding up, he said. Employees will be out early today sanding any slick spots, he said.

OG&E had power back on for all but one or two customers Friday afternoon. Spokesman Al Stevens said those one or two should be back in power before dark.

OG&E costs won’t be known until next week, he said.

Stevens said this year’s ice storm didn’t do nearly as much damage as last year’s.

East Central Electric had 2,000 without power Friday morning and had that figure knocked down to 125 by 4 p.m. Most of those were in the Summit area and a few in the Keefeton area, said Billy Moore, a management supervisor.

“Our operations man said the biggest part of those will be back on before dark,” Moore said late Friday afternoon.

The cost?

“We’re working on that and should have a figure by Monday or Tuesday,” Moore said.