There’s no good time for a power outage, but a little planning can help you be prepared when it does happen.
Power outages at any time of the year may be short-term or last for an extended period, depending on the circumstances surrounding the outages and how quickly crews can repair any damage. It’s important to stay calm and understand how you may be vulnerable during an outage.
A simple inventory of items you need that rely on electricity is a good place to start, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s emergency preparedness website, ready.gov. Keep batteries and other alternative power sources on hand to meet your needs during an outage. Flashlights, battery-operated lights, portable chargers, and power banks are good to have ready for use.
Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, and electronics to prevent damage from surges or spikes when the power returns.
Speak with your medical providers for guidance on electrical devices or refrigerated medications. With medications that are critical to your well-being, you need to know how to store them during an extended power outage.
Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home. Generators, camp stoves, or grills should always be used outdoors at least 20 feet away from windows and doors. Do not use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
Always keep enough nonperishable food and water on hand, and keep freezers and refrigerators closed during any outage, short or extended. An unopened refrigerator can keep food cold for about 4 hours during an outage, and a full freezer can maintain a cold temperature for about 48 hours. Coolers with ice can be used if necessary. An appliance thermometer will help you monitor the temperature in a refrigerator or freezer. Throw out food if the temperature inside the fridge or freezer reaches 40 degrees or higher for 2 hours or more.
During winter power outages with extremely low outdoor temperatures, dress warmly and in layers for better insulation. Move to a single room, preferably 1 with few windows. A south-facing room is best for heat gain during the day. Shut the room off from the rest of the house.
If you use an alternate heat source, be sure to follow operating instructions and maintain the proper ventilation for sources like kerosene heaters. Store fuels outside of the home. Keeping wood stoves and fireplaces maintained during the year will prevent problems when they’re needed during an emergency.
Most communities will open shelters for extreme winter conditions or severe weather. If staying in your home without power is unsafe, check to find out if a shelter is available near you.
If someone you care for uses medical equipment that requires electricity, (even if not life-sustaining, it can be critical), you can complete and submit a form to North Alabama Electric Cooperative to place your residence on the cooperative’s medical priority list.
Find the medical priority form on the Medical Priority page and have it signed by your doctor.
Keep Tabs on Power Outages
North Alabama Electric Cooperative works hard to fix outages as quickly as possible, and our members can monitor outages through the cooperative’s website. Simply click on the “View Outage Map” button at the top of our homepage to see where outages are occurring in the service area.
Outage information updates every 5 minutes and shows a grouping of outages on a map, providing the total number as well as the percentage of members without power. The map also shows radar images as weather systems move through the area.