Be prepared: Despite mild late fall temperatures, getting ready for winter storms is still key
PORTLAND, Ore. — So far most of the Northwest has dodged the kind of storms that cause large power outages, but experience tells us that it is wise to be prepared even if the weather is mild at the moment. Pacific Power reminds its customers and the public in Oregon, Washington and northern California to take precautions to stay safe and comfortable should outages occur.
“Windstorms and winter blasts can be unpredictable and cause issues that lead to power outages,” said Allen Berreth, vice president, operations. “We are always prepared to respond with crews at the ready, to repair damage as fast as possible and reduce the amount of time any customer is without service.”
To ensure that you are prepared for outages, we ask that every home maintain an emergency outage kit that includes the following:
- Flashlight
- Battery-operated radio and clock
- Extra batteries
- Non-perishable foods
- Manual can opener
- Bottled water
- Blankets
If a power outage occurs, Pacific Power encourages customers to first check their fuses and circuit breakers. If the power failure is not caused inside the home or business, customers should report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
Get the App. The Pacific Power App for mobile devices can become invaluable during an outage. You can report and track an outage affecting you from your mobile device. The app is free and can be downloaded on the App Store or Google Play. For more information, visit pacificpower.net/app.
Pacific Power suggests these safety precautions once a storm has hit:
- Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
- Extensive rain may cause flooding or landslides. Be especially careful of any standing water or even soggy ground. A live down wire may seem to be a safe distance away, but it is still extremely dangerous due to wet conditions.
- Don’t drive over downed power lines.