PUD Reminds Customers to Prepare for Winter Weather

December 4, 2009

In preparation for the coming winter weather, Columbia River People's Utility District (PUD) is encouraging customers to prepare for the possibility of power outages.
 
"We have year-round tree trimming and system maintenance programs designed to minimize outages, and our crews are prepared to respond to outages 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said PUD General Manager Kevin Owens. "But we can't prevent every outage, and being prepared will keep you and your family safer and more comfortable. So if you haven't created a 72-hour home emergency kit, now is a good time to get that done."  
 
Your 72-hour kit should include enough non-perishable food, water and supplies to last your family for three days, a hand-crank or battery operated flashlight and radio, a first aid kit and extra clothing and blankets. You can learn more about creating your kit on the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.

What to do when the lights go out:

In the event of a power outage, take the following steps:

• Check your electric meter.  If there are numbers in the display, there is power to your home and you should check your circuit breaker or fuse box. If the display is blank, call the PUD at (503) 397-1844 to report your outage.
• Keep away from downed power lines.  Always assume a downed line is energized and could electrocute you.  Report downed lines to the PUD.
• Report any flashes, explosions or trees in the power lines, which can help our crews locate the cause of the outage.
• During cold weather outages, turn off major appliances, water heaters and heating systems.  When power is restored, turn these back on one at a time, in 15-minute intervals.  This helps prevent overloading our system, which could cause another outage.
• Unplug electronic equipment. When power is restored, electrical surges can damage sensitive electronics.  Wait a few minutes after power is restored before plugging electronics back in.
• Turn on a front porch light.  This helps repair crews confirm when your power is restored.
• Close doors, windows and curtains to conserve heat. 
• Never use outdoor grills or camp stoves to cook indoors.
• If you pass repair crews on the road, drive slowly and give them a wide berth.  Watch for PUD employees and flaggers who may be directing traffic.

Tips for reporting your outage:

When you call to report your outage, you will be asked to provide either the primary telephone number associated with the address where the outage is occurring, or the street address.  

The representative who takes your call may be able to tell you the cause of your outage once it is known.  However we cannot estimate when your power may be restored. 

"It's very difficult to accurately determine how long an outage will last, particularly in storm situations where new problems are always cropping up," said Owens. "We don't want to give people inaccurate information based on a best guess."