News

1/28/2010

Get Ready For Winter Storm

A winter storm which could bring significant snow and ice to our area is threatening our area this weekend. Because ice accumulation on power lines can cause power outages, South River EMC is making preparations just in case.

“We are preparing our line crews and contract crews to spring into action if we experience any storm-related outages,” said Buddy G. Creed, Executive Vice President & General Manager. “If we do not have any damage, our crews will be ready to travel and help sister cooperatives, if necessary. In the event of any loss of power, restoring our member’s power quickly and safely is our top priority.”

If your electricity goes out, look outside and see if your neighbors are also in the dark. If they’re not, check your circuit breakers to see if you can locate the problem.

“If we experience significant ice accumulation, we could face widespread outages affecting thousands of members,” Creed said. “Although crews work around the clock to restore electricity, it may take some time before all repairs can be made.

“If the power goes out, we ask members to turn off their furnaces and heat pumps, all appliances and all lights, except one. This will help make the transition easier once the electricity is restored. If people have too many electric items on when the power is restored, the circuits can be overloaded causing additional outages.”

The extreme cold temperatures of winter ice storms make staying warm and safe a challenge. Here is how to create a winter survival kit for your home to help you and your family survive the cold grasp of winter.

The Essentials

· Food: Food that requires no cooking or refrigeration such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned foods, and dried fruits. Remember baby food and formula if you have young children.

· Water: In case water pipes freeze or rupture, keep a supply of tap water or purchase bottled water. The recommended amount of water to keep is 5 gallons per person.

· Medicines: Roads may be inaccessible for several days due to the storm. Make sure to order or refill any prescriptions that family members may need.

· Identification: Make sure to keep forms of identification with you such as social security card, passport, photo ID, and driver’s license. In addition, make sure to have bank account information, and insurance policies.

Emergency Materials

Alternate methods to heat your home:
Dry firewood for a fireplace or wood stove
Kerosene for a kerosene heater
Furnace fuel (coal, propane, or oil)

· Matches

· Blankets

· First Aid Kit and instruction manual

· Multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher

· Flashlight

· Battery-powered radio, clock/watch

· Extra batteries

· Shovel

· Rock salt

· Non-electric can opener

When creating a winter survival kit for your home, take into consideration factors that are specific to your home and family. For instance if your home is isolated or on the outskirts of a residential area, making it more difficult for help to reach you, make sure to stock additional amounts of food, water, and medicine. Listening to weather forecasts regularly can provide you with several days’ notice to allow you to check emergency materials and to stock-up on essential supplies.

· Avoid opening the freezer door. A full, freestanding freezer will keep food at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about one day. For more information about food safety during and after a power outage, call the county office of the N. C. Cooperative Extension Service, or dial the USDA Food Safety Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.

· If you see a downed power line, STAY AWAY!! And call your electric company at once.

· Leave your porch light on so utility workers will know when your power has been restored.

· When power comes back on, slowly switch your appliances and lights back on and gradually return your thermostat to its normal setting.

If we do incur outages, South River EMC offices will be manned 24 hours a day until all members’ power has been restored. Immediately following the storm, if you have difficulty reaching the electric company, be patient and keep trying.

Members can call (910)892-8071 to report power outages.

South River EMC is a member-owned electric cooperative which provides electric products and services to over 42,000 homes, farms and businesses in parts of Sampson, Harnett, Cumberland, Johnston and Bladen counties.

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