Weather advisories sent to the Palouse community this morning warned of high winds and possible flooding. When the storm hit, some residents were temporarily left without power and essential utilities. While outages may be inconvenient, but there are ways to deal with them responsibly and safely.
According to Avista Outage Center, here’s what to do during a power outage.
Check the breaker box and try turning on switches that have been turned off. If all switches are on and there is still no power, check for updates on outages in the area.
Report outages to utility companies. It may be hard to get through to a provider as many other customers are reporting outages at the same time. Be patient.
If interruptions are serious, they will assess damages in the area and work on fixing the interruptions. Check with neighbors to see if they are also experiencing outages or need help.
Turn off and unplug appliances and electronic equipment that were on before the power went out. This includes microwaves, computers, TV’s, phone chargers, etc.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. This will prevent food from spoiling and keep temperatures cool for as long as possible. Have plans for food including non-perishables and bottled water.
If you have pets, make sure they have adequate conditions including food, water and a warm environment.
Keep a flashlight handy if power outages extend into the night. Don’t light too many candles because they are fire hazards.
Don’t use emergency generators because they may injure or kill a lineman working on power lines to restore electricity.
Don’t go near down power lines to prevent being electrocuted.
Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce.