Stong storms with very heavy rain continue to move into the southwestern and south central portions of the state. We're keeping an eye on storms that are producing several inches of rain.

A new Tornado Watch is in effect for the central and eastern portions of the state, including metro Oklahoma City. The watch is in effect until 8:00pm. The main threats from these storms will be damaging winds, hail, and the possibilities of tornadoes.

In Jefferson County, a Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 4:00pm. Several inches of rain there has produced localized street flooding.

Most of the area could easily see 1"-3" of rain by Saturday morning, leading to additional flooding problems.

Stay with KOCO, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.

Rusty

Posted by: Executive Producer, Julie Fike

Elmo stopped by Eyewitness News 5 in the morning Thursday. He was so full of life and bubbly. I just love meeting characters like Elmo.

Before I came to Oklahoma City, I lived in Houston and got a chance to meet Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog. They were a hoot. Miss Piggy got a little upset with her Kermie when he outed her as having a tattoo reading, "USDA Choice." In true Miss Piggy style, she karate-chopped him right there!

I've also had the opportunity to meet Super Grover. He was great fun in the newsroom helping the producers write some scripts.

This morning Elmo didn't help with weather because the Metro was getting some serious rain and even some hail. But he did help in the control room. Click on the video link to see Elmo on the set with John and Tierney. Also you'll see the times of his show with all his Sesame Street friends this weekend.

Posted by: Julie Fike

Is it just me? I can't keep up with Mother Nature. My poor AC/Heat system. I have flicked my thermastat to so many states, I'm surprised it hasn't quit on me.

I know the 'ol saying, if you don't like the Oklahoma weather, wait a day. Boy does it literally seem like that lately. With the humid days, cool nights, I'm flipping my "heat" to "cool" within a 24 hour period.

At one point, I just suffered through one muggy night with my windows open. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep, even with my fan working overtime. I'm one of those people that needs it like a refrigerator with meat hanging to sleep. Now with the rain coming, it's more humid and muggy than ever. The great comfort is, I'm not in it alone. I'm sure most of us are trying to figure out how to regulate our homes.

Posted by Tierney Cook

I love movies.
If you read my blog or know anything about me, I am a huge movie fan.
This past weekend I saw the new Chris Rock movie, "I Think I Love My Wife."
I am a Chris Rock fan , I love his television show, and there are other films of his I have liked but this one was a real stinker.

I know it is based off a French short film, and I should have guessed that with Chris Rock's taste, the language would change...dramatically.

It was vulgar, not funny, upsetting and did not highlight the love we all hope for in a marriage.
I always tell people to see the movie themselves, maybe you will like it.
I think I want my money back...
I know I hated "I think I love my wife."

Tierney Cook

Posted By Tierney Cook


I run into this problem 4 times a year.
Just when the seasons are about to change, I get sick.
This time it started Saturday morning.
I felt pressure in my head toward my left eye.
That pressure then began to drain out my nostrils and it has not stopped since.


I don't know if it is sinusitis, hypochondria, allergies or what, but every time the seasons change I get a little under the weather.

You may have noticed it on air this morning, I sound stuffy and I am always on the verge of sneezing.
Not to worry, medication is my friend, I should feel better my the weekend. It normally only lasts about a week.

This time I am really looking forward to the weekend.

Tierney

Posted by: Executive Producer, Julie Fike

Can you feel Spring in the air? It seems like so long ago when the ice and snow storms were in a perpetual cycle in the Metro area. Now we've got Spring showers and highs of 70.

Both Buddy (the dog) and I had a spring in our step when we went running at Lake Hefner. It was a little breezy but I was feeling good, breathing the fresh air and I looked down to my wrinkly face friend (he's half shar-pei) and I swear he was smiling too.

He was running without a care in the world. The wind was going a bit but he put his face into it and just squinted his eyes. Then his ears got into it and they started floating and flapping on the side of his face. He looked as if he could take off and fly at any second!

I know with Spring sometimes the weather turns severe but then again it's like the 'ol saying, nothing good comes easy. See you at the Lake!

Posted by Tierney Cook


My cheeks hurt.
Normally you would catch me smiling all the time, but I just spent the last hour cheesing and cutting a new promo that will include the newest member of the morning team, Rusty Mcranie!!

I love that name, I remember when he came in for an interview I thought, "Rusty Mcranie sounds like a guy I would have fun with."

And so far it's true.
It gets tough smiling all that time while the camera operator gets all the different angles and shots.
Rusty was there cracking jokes and making sure John and I kept our smiles fresh and inviting.

I know you will love him to when he makes his first appearance on Eyewitness News Five in the Morning on Monday March 12th.

I will be out of town for his debut, but I know I will be smiling and enjoying his forecast starting Tuesday.

I hope you like him too.

Tierney Cook

Posted by: Executive Producer, Julie Fike

We've got a bit of a mystery going on with Eyewitness News 5 in the Morning. A new member of our team will be revealed Monday, March 12 at 5am.

He's been in our newsroom and studio, behind the scenes, all week. Everyone around here couldn't be more excited. Let me tell you, the new guy knows exactly how to get on our good side. Bring food! He brought around a big box full of frozen ice cream truffles. Yummy. Of course, I picked the double chocolate senation.

Here's some hints about the identity of this mystery man. His name is the same as a character of the movie, "National Lampoons Vacation." He's coming from a place that will "show you" his true personality. Don't "buc" him for his favorite NFL team and it's not the Cowboys.

Please tune in to see this mystery man, Monday, March 12 at 5am!
Julie

Posted By Tierney Cook


On Sunday morning we will Spring Forward!
And I will hate it!!!

This year Daylight Saving Time is coming much earlier.
In Aug. 2005, Congress passed an energy bill that extended Daylight Saving Time by about a month.
It will now start the second Sunday of March and end on the first Sunday of November.
The reason is for energy saving purposes.

It is always hard on me because I go to bed so early...normally around 7pm at the latest.
Right now the sun goes down by 6, so it is nice and dark.

With the spring forward...it means more daylight hours for you all to play...but more time for sun to seep in through my windows.

And that sunlight drives me crazy and keeps me up!

So here's to a few months of sleepless nights!
But it will get better...IN NOVEMBER!!!

Posted by: John Flick

Thursday night I was excited as I jumped in my car and began the trek up north to Edmond to meet a group of women who literally race through life. They are THE TORNADO ALLEY ROLLER GIRLS (there are actually four different teams in the OKC league). Simply put, they skate around a rink trying to bump off opponents.
Yes, I was going to put on a pair of skates and see what these young ladies could teach me, and I was pumped.
But while driving, it sunk in what I was really getting myself into. First of all, I'm not a strong skater (do those things have training wheels for the wheels?). Secondly, I have no pads for my elbows, knees, shoulders, ankles, backside, head, neck... who am I kidding? I wanted to be padded from head to toe. I was going to get creamed.
Then fate intervened. A strange noise came from my car. The steering wheel started pulling to the left. I looked in the rear view mirror in time to see rubber literally hitting the road. Part of my tire flew off then landed in a ditch. I got "Carano'd" (named after meteorologist Steve Carano, who, just a few weeks ago blew a tire as well). I had a flat tire and never reached my roller derby destiny. Perhaps it was for the best. My own "wheels" failed me... I can only imagine what would have happened on a smaller set.
Check out the Tornado Alley Girls on our morning show Friday. They also have an exhibition this weekend.

Posted by: Executive Producer, Julie Fike

I know firefighters are reluctant to be called heroes but I'm going to use that label anyway. I, along with John and Tierney attended the 8th Annual OKC Firefighter Award Banquet, Saturday night.

We heard amazing stories that we, news people, didn't even know about. We heard the selfless acts of these men and women. Imagine a hotel ballroom filled with firefighters and their families, getting touched by a story where a firefighter who, by himself, saved an elderly man from a fire. Or another firefighter who took it upon himself to start a smoke detector program in a school district where four children had died in a house fire.

John and Tierney were Masters of Ceremony and brought some lighter moments to the more emotional ones. Like busting out two lawyers who were sitting at our table and telling everyone their thoughts on the Anna Nicole Smith burial hearing and the wacky judge. John didn't think the joke went over. He said he thought he heard crickets chirping but I was there laughing. They always crack me up. But trust me, the lawyers got their digs in as well. Like giving me a jibe about covering every house fire in the metro. They wondered why it was news. After the awards, I told them because of stories like that!

Take today for instance. A double house fire on the Northwest side and despite trying to save the houses and lives, they saved a wedding dress!

Keep up the good work OKCFD, we love you at KOCO.
Julie

Posted by: Executive Producer Julie Fike

I had the great opportunity to go to a Hornets game Wednesday night. I had been to games before but as the Hornets future comes to an end, it leaves a stinging feeling in your heart.

The Utah Jazz had the same feeling on Sunday at the Ford Center, the last time they'll play in there. Jerry Sloan, Jazz coach, said "It's a wonderful city. The people have been terrific here."

I'm a transplant here and there's no doubt that the people are terrific. Oklahoma City has the great combination of a big city feel with down-home people. That's been reflected in the sold out crowds for the Hornets. Although I do have to admit, at the games, I had trouble remembering the mascot's name, Hugo. I kept calling him Mr. Bee. He didn't hold it against me though. When I called out his name, Mr. Bee, he just waved and gave me the "call me" gesture. See, what a terrific attitude.

Okay, I digressed, back on track now. Oklahoma City has proved itself to the NBA, although there's no franchise coming here for next season. We can only hope 2008 goes by fast and that professional hoops will be back in the Metro by the 2009 season.

Whatever team comes here, I promise, I'll get the mascot's name right.
Julie

Posted by Tierney Cook


It's Friday, March 2nd at 4:09pm and I am at work.
This is a rarity, especially since I am normally sitting at this desk at 4:09am.

I have entered what we morning folks call the "DAYSIDE".
I am filling in for Maggie and Jessica tonight on Eyewitness News 5 at 5,6, and 10.

I came into work this afternoon at 1:30 and won't leave till close to 11 tonight.
It felt weird to walk into the station when the sun was up, on a sunny windy afternoon.
But I think I will enjoy my stint on the "DAYSIDE.
Don't worry I'll be back to cut up with John on Monday morning...back on the "DARKSIDE"!!!


Tierney Cook