Preparing for a Power Outage

When the prospect of a severe storm looms, be prepared. The best way to cope with a storm is to be prepared before it strikes. Victory Electric has an active maintenance and right-of-way program to help minimize the damage wind, rain, limbs and trees cause on our system. However, depending on the strength of the storm, sometimes that is not enough.

Develop, practice emergency plan with everyone in your house.
Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity and discuss what to do in case of an emergency.
Download Victory Electric’s SmartHub app on your mobile device.
Sign up for Victory Electric outage text messages.
When there is impending dangerous weather, fill your bathtub with water if your supply depends on electricity.
Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.
Protect and unplug electronic equipment.
Fill up your vehicles with gas in the event that you need to evacuate or relocate to another area; and if you use a portable generator, fill up fuel cans.
Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
If someone relies on life support equipment, identify an alternate location with power where they can go during an outage.
Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
Purchase appliances with built-in surge protection or install surge protectors to help safeguard valuable electronic equipment such as computers and home entertainment systems. Plug computers and other sensitive equipment into a separate, grounded circuit to isolate them from fluctuations caused when a major appliance restarts (such as your room air conditioner or refrigerator). Consider having a lightning arrester installed at your main circuit panel.
Don’t forget your pets! Have a pet emergency k it.

Emergency Kits

We suggest creating both a “personal” and a “household” emergency kit just in case a lengthy power outage or other natural event happens in your area.

Your personal emergency kit can be built in either a five-gallon bucket or a backpack – something that you can easily pick up and take with you. You can fit quite a few supplies in these containers.

Your household emergency kit may require a bit more space than a five-gallon bucket or a backpack, but it still should be something that you can easily carry and grab in a hurry.

While you can pack anything you like in each kit, there are essential items needed for an extended power outage. It is recommended that each member of the household has his/her own kit. Remember, during an extended outage, you need to think about basic necessities and survival-type items, not all the comforts of home.

For more information on building your emergency kits, visit the Red Cross.

Always be prepared! Being prepared is the key to keeping you safe and comfortable during a power outage or other natural event, like a tornado or ice storm. Put together an emergency kit that is easily accessible and that you don’t use for anything other than an emergency. When putting your emergency kits together, plan for longer rather than shorter periods. If you plan for the worse, you’re likely to not exhaust your supplies in a shorter event.

Essential supplies for an emergency kit should include:

Flashlight & fresh batteries. Always keep the batteries separate until you are ready to use them.
Wind-up, solar or portable radio.
Candles & waterproof matches.
Bottled drinking water. Be sure to store at least one gallon per person per day. If a storm is forecast, fill the bathtub with water so bathroom facilities can still be used by pouring a bucket of water down the toilet to create a vacuum flush. You might also still have 50 gallons of fresh, usable water in your water heater.
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, keep kindling and dry firewood on hand.
Clothing and a blanket. Wear extra layers and cover your head with a hat. A sleeping bag or blanket is suggested, too.
Easy-to-prepare food items. Include items that don’t require much cooking – instant or canned soups or chili (don’t forget a can opener!), packaged freeze-dried meals, trail mix, dried foods (fruit, jerky, tuna fish), and protein bars are good to have on hand.
Gas camp stoves, lanterns or barbecues. NEVER use a camp stove or barbecue indoors! Be sure to use any lanterns on a flat, stable and non-flammable surface. Make sure to have extra fuel for cooking outdoors.
Ample supply of essential prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. During a storm, road travel may not be possible for several days.
First aid kit. Make sure that all of the supplies are filled and ready to go.
Hand sanitizer, baby wipes and toilet paper.
Cell phone or laptop computer.
Games. Board games and playing cards are fun and handy to pass the time.