Be Ready for Storm Season
Spring is on our doorstep and like many of you, I’m looking forward to more opportunities to be outdoors and enjoy warmer temperatures.
Whether you enjoy golfing, hiking, fishing or simply being outdoors, spring is the perfect time to explore what western North Dakota has to offer.
Unfortunately, spring and summer can also create the perfect conditions for severe storms.
Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative (MWEC) crews are always prepared and standing by to respond should power outages occur in our area. When severe storms cause power disruptions, our line crews take all necessary precautions before they work on downed lines.
I would encourage you to also practice safety and preparedness to protect your family during storms and outages.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends the items below as a starting point for storm and disaster preparedness, but you can visit www.ready.gov for additional resources.
- Stock your pantry with a three-day supply of nonperishable food, including canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water and other essentials (diapers and toiletries).
- Confirm you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies, including towelettes, soap and hand sanitizer.
- Ensure your first-aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages and other medical essentials, and make sure your prescriptions are current.
- Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener and portable, battery-powered radio or TV.
- Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location.
In the event of a prolonged power outage, turn off major appliances, TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. This will help avert damage from potential power surges and will also help prevent overloading circuits during power restoration. However, leave one light on so you can see when the power is restored.
If you plan to use a portable generator, ensure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you need, and always review the manufacturer’s instructions to operate it safely.
Severe storms can occasionally bring down power lines. If you see a downed line, always assume it’s energized and never approach it.
Always stay in the know:
- Check MWEC’s website and Facebook page for restoration updates and
- Listen to local news
- Sign up for the National Weather Service National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emergency alerts and warnings Advance planning for severe storms or other emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety caused by the weather event and lessen the impact of the storm’s effects.
To report an outage, call 800-279-2667 or sign into SmartHub.
I hope we don’t experience severe storms over the spring and summer months, but we can never predict Mother Nature’s plans. We recommend making a plan today, because storm preparedness is always our best defense.
Do’s and Don’ts when using a portable generator
Do
- Install backup Carbon Monoxide alarms
- Keep children and pets away at all times
- Position at least 25 feet outside the home, away from doors, windows and vents
- Ensure generator is properly grounded • Use three-pronged extension cords that are rated to handle the load
Dont’s
- Operate inside your home or an enclosed space
- Open windows or doors while the generator is running
- Rely on as a full-time source of power
- Overload. Should only be used to power essential equipment
- Connect directly into household wiring unless