GREENFIELD — Area utilities say they’re prepared in case the storm causes power outages.
Scott Yost, electric utility manager for Greenfield Power & Light, said plenty of personnel are ready to step in if needed and that they started making sure trucks were fully stocked and fueled last Friday.
“Our reliability is really good; we got a quick turnaround on outages,” Yost said.
He encourages customers to call 317-477-4370 to report an outage and not to assume someone else will.
Residents may want to use generators during an outage. If they want to power separate items, they can plug them directly into the generator, Yost said, but if a generator is plugged into a house, the house’s main breaker should be open to eliminate backfeed while utility workers work on power lines.
Generators should be kept outside to prevent fumes from accumulating indoors, Yost said as well.
And speaking of fumes, gas stoves and ovens should not be used to heat homes during an outage, he continued. Plenty of flashlights, batteries, candles, blankets and layers of warm clothing should be available. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be charged.
Residents should stay inside as much as possible and keep doors closed as much as they can. Yost recommended having plenty of bottled water and food items that don’t need to be refrigerated, should an outage last longer than expected. Faucets should be left to drip slightly to prevent freezing pipes.
Yost encourages people to stay in touch with nearby family and friends if there is an outage. If someone loses power and roads are drivable, they could travel to a friend’s or family member’s home that has power.
It’s also important to keep away from any downed power lines, Yost said.
“Hopefully this won’t be as bad as it could be, but you never know,” he said.
NineStar Connect is prepared too, said David Spencer, director of marketing and public relations.
“Our guys are monitoring the situation very closely with all the changing updates in the weather and keeping an eye on things,” Spencer said.
Before storms, workers often stage items, like transformers, so that they’re quicker to access if needed, he also said.
NineStar Connect customers have smart meters.
“So we’ll know your power’s off when you do,” Spencer said.
If snow and ice cause vehicles to slide off roads and strike utility poles, occupants should stay in the vehicle, call 911 and wait for first responders, Spencer also said.
“With down power lines, they don’t want to get out and start walking around,” he added.
Duke Energy spokesperson Lew Middleton told the Daily Reporter in an email that the biggest cause of winter power outages is freezing rain and ice accumulating on power lines and tree limbs, followed by wet, heavy snow on tree limbs and branches. Neither of those conditions are forecast, only large amounts of dry and powdery snow, which may delay crews in their response to restore any outages.
“Extreme cold weather can also put a strain on any outdoor mechanical and electrical equipment, including the power grid,” Middleton said. “Again, however, we are prepared to respond if and when these situations arise.”
Customers can receive updates on outages on Duke Energy’s app and at duke-energy.com.
