Ice storm downed power lines and trees throughout Oklahoma. Credit: Boyce Bowdon, DNN

States of emergency are in effect across Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, following an immense front that dumped as much as an inch of ice across parts of the Midwest. At least 23 people have died in the storm, and the U.S. Department of Energy estimates more than half a million customers are without electricity in the plains states.

The lights were slowly coming back on Thursday in Oklahoma and residents were beginning to thaw out after being hit with what has been described as the worst ice storm in the state's history.

Although temperatures climbed into the 40s on Thursday, rain and possible snow was forecast for Friday and Saturday, with evening temperatures for the next five days expected to dip below freezing.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team (PDA NRT) members, the Reverends Bob Houser and Paul Reiter, have been in contact with the affected presbyteries to assist in their relief and recovery efforts, and PDA stands ready to provide financial and other assistance as the presbyteries identify needs.

PDA will also be in touch with areas of the Northeast that have been affected by this same storm system.