Think Ahead - Prepare For Winter Outages
Yes, be prepared. We are now entering a time of year when winter weather can wreak havoc on CREC's system. We've prepared by keeping our rights of way as clear as possible, but Mother Nature can still be extremely destructive.
It's not a pretty sight to see the weight of built up ice topple pole after pole like a stack of dominos.
Just ask our neighbors to the south in Missouri's bootheel about last January's ice storm.
Over a nearly three-week period, CREC sent workers to help three cooperatives rebuild electrical distribution systems that had taken decades to construct.
Just think of what could have happened if the ice storm would have tracked further north and hit our region. We could have been paralyzed and left without power for days, or even weeks.
That's why it's important to plan ahead and stock your own emergency survival kit. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Even a box or bucket will do.
You might consider having items such as bottled water, nonperishable food, batteries, flashlights, and a battery operated radio in a special storage area. The American Red Cross provides useful information on how to survive a power outage and what to include in your survival kit at www.redcross.org.
Coincidentally, one of our national Co-op Connections Card partners (MREFoods.com - Meals Ready to Eat) specializes in pre-packaged food that can be stored specifically for this type of scenario. Members can save 5% on their orders with the Co-op Connections Card discount. Get details at www.cuivre.com or if you don't have Internet access, call CREC at 800.392.3709 (ext. 330) to get details on how to order by phone.
When it comes to power outages, remember that we're ready to serve you 24 hours a day.
During a major outage, the main objective is to get as many people in service as quickly as possible, beginning with main distribution lines, until every last individual service is restored.
If the situation is really bad, rest assured that we have friends in the cooperative world who are just a phone call away, that will be ready and able to offer assistance.
Let's hope we don't have to make that call.
Outage Tips
Have An Emergency Storm Kit
Power outages are unpredictable and can be dangerous. Outages and are typically caused by severe weather. Be prepared for outages by creating an emergency storm kit and action plan. Place your emergency storm kit in a central location in your house that is easily accessible.
The emergency storm kit should include:
- Cuivre River telephone number 1-800-392-3709
- Emergency contact numbers
- Batteries
- Battery powered radio
- Candles
- Flashlights
- First-aid kit
- Matches
- Non-perishable food
- Hand-operated can opener
- Water
If Your CREC Power Is Off
- Check your home's breaker panel (and any outdoor disconnects) to make sure the outage is not due to a tripped breaker.
- Call your neighbors to see if their power is off. This will help you determine if the problem exists within your home, or on our lines.
- If you determine the problem is outside your home, call Cuivre River Electric Cooperative, 800-392-3709. Call any time your power is out. Do not assume that others have reported the outage.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food should keep for up to 48 hours in a freezer, if the door remains closed. If the outage persists, cover your refrigerator or freezer with a blanket, make arrangements to store food at another location, or purchase dry ice.
- Turn off all electrical appliances that were on when the power went off, especially heat pumps, air conditioners, or electric heat. But leave a light on so you will know when power is restored.
Extended Outages
- Extended outages happen unannounced. So the best way to get through them is to be prepared at all times. Here's a few tips on how:
- Keep flashlights and portable radios on hand with a supply of extra batteries.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food should keep for up to 48 hours in a freezer, if the door remains closed. If the outage persists, cover your refrigerator or freezer with a blanket, make arrangements to store food at another location, or purchase dry ice.
- Don't cook inside with charcoal. Be extra careful with candles, kerosene lamps, heaters, and fireplaces.
- Have a supply of water on hand.
Restoring Power After A Storm
- In the aftermath of a major storm Cuivre River Electric Cooperative:
- Assigns our repair resources to the most critical areas to make them safe for the public and for our employees to continue working.
- Conducts a thorough damage assessment.
- Restores electrical service to the customers who provide health, safety and other essential services to your community.
These customer groups include:
- Public services such as Red Cross facilities.
- Communications such as emergency radio systems, telephones and televisions.
- Designated sewage pump and disposal plants and water supply utilities.
- Restores power lines that deliver power in the shortest period of time to the largest number of customers possible.
- Then Cuivre River Electric Cooperative restores service to individual homes and businesses.
Help Us Restore Power Safely
Please be aware of our service vehicles parked along roadways.
Call Cuivre River Electric Cooperative at 1-800-392-3709 to report outages and any unsafe conditions - sparking power lines. Stay away from these lines, as well as downed lines. You should always act as if a downed line is live.