SMECO Says...
As Hurricane Sandy heads up the Atlantic coast, area residents should prepare for the storm and storm-related power outages. Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is monitoring weather forecasts, and co-op crews are preparing to restore power when outages occur.
SMECO personnel and crews are preparing to mobilize when the storm hits the Southern Maryland area. Although the path of the storm is uncertain, it is currently expected to impact the area beginning Sunday evening. According to Austin J. Slater, Jr., SMECO president and CEO, "This is already a massive storm. If the center of the storm travels through our area as some weather models suggest, we may experience extensive damage. If the center does not hit us, the rain and winds will still cause a lot of damage. Areas along the Patuxent and Potomac rivers and the Chesapeake Bay can expect severe damage."
Slater listed some of the actions the co-op has taken to prepare for the storm. "Our emergency response team held a planning meeting to make sure all of our personnel are ready for the storm response. We have a well-stocked inventory of the hardware and equipment needed for making repairs, and our vendors are prepared to send additional equipment if necessary. We have contacted electric cooperatives in neighboring states that are not expected to be affected by outages so we can have crews assist us with making repairs to our system. We have arranged for contract crews from C.W. Wright, Penn Line, and Pike to be here to help with restoration efforts. Our employees are prepared to staff our contact center and will work in shifts around the clock."
Slater added, "We advise our customers to prepare for extended outages. Last year, Hurricane Irene caused $7 million in damages in about 24 hours and some customers were without power for seven days. If the path of this storm continues as predicted, it could cause similar or more extensive damage than Irene." Customers can view a two-minute video, "Preparing for a Power Outage" to help them take steps to get ready before an outage occurs. Customers can get more information or watch the video on the co-op's website at
www.smeco.coop. SMECO's October bills also included a brochure listing steps to take to prepare for power outages.
SMECO customers should report power outages by calling the automated system at 1-877-747-6326 (1-877-74-SMECO). SMECO's outage restoration policy is to make repairs that will restore service to the most people in the least amount of time. Transmission lines and substations are repaired first, followed by distribution lines that feed neighborhoods; tap lines and individual service lines are then repaired to restore power to customers who may still be without electricity.
The following is a list of steps customers can take to prepare for power interruptions:
-- If someone in your household depends on electricity to operate life support systems, make plans for alternate sources of power or alternate lodging. For shelter updates, call SMECO's special needs information number: 1-866-524-9402. In addition, check with local fire department, which may offer temporary shelter.
-- Keep flashlights and fresh batteries on hand.
-- Stock nonperishable foods and keep a manual can opener handy. The ideal choices are foods that require no cooking, such as canned fruit, peanut butter, crackers, cereals, cereal bars, canned soup, tuna, and bread.
-- Do not stock your refrigerator or freezer with foods that may perish during a power outage.
-- If you plan to use a charcoal or gas grill for cooking, keep the grill outdoors.
-- If your water at home is supplied by a well, store extra water in clean jugs, bathtubs, or laundry tubs.
-- Keep a battery-powered radio with fresh batteries and stay tuned to local news bulletins and weather reports.
-- Keep fresh batteries in your smoke detectors.
-- Make sure that you have a corded phone available. Cordless phones do not work without electricity. If you use a cell phone, an auto adapter may be needed to recharge your phone.
-- If you plan to use a portable generator, use extension cords to connect what you want to power directly to the generator. Place your generator outside, not in an attic, crawl space, or basement. Carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly. Make sure your generator is connected safely; a generator that is not connected safely can cause serious injury or death. When your power comes back on, turn off and disconnect your generator immediately.
-- Keep your automobile gas tank above half full.
-- As in preparing for any other emergency, maintain a supply of cash. Credit cards and ATM machines may not work if the power is out.
If your power goes out:
-- Never touch downed power lines or attempt to remove trees from power lines. Contact with live lines may result in serious injury or death. Let qualified SMECO crews handle the clearing and repair work. Please report downed power lines to SMECO immediately by calling 1-888-440-3311.
-- Call SMECO's Outage Hotline at 1-877-74-SMECO or 1-877-747-6326.
-- Open the freezer and refrigerator as little as possible. This will help food stay fresh longer.
-- Make sure the oven and stove are off to prevent fires if the power comes back on while you're away.
-- Turn off all the major appliances in your home, especially the heat pump. This will prevent damage to the appliances once the power is restored. Then, try not to turn everything back on at once; turn on appliances gradually so the electric demand does not jump suddenly.
