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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 2021)
6B | SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL Don’t miss a beat during a power outage Short-term power outag- es can be a minor inconve- nience. A long-term power outage can cause a major disruption to daily life. The U.S. Energy Infor- mation Administration’s Annual Electric Power In- dustry Report says inter- ruptions in electric service vary by frequency and du- ration across the many elec- tric distribution systems that serve the country. In 2016, the most recent year for data, customers experi- enced an average of 1.3 in- terruptions and went with- out power for around four hours. When a storm strikes or an accident knocks out electric power lines or other infrastructure, it may take much longer for power to be restored. During Super- storm Sandy in 2012, more than eight million people lost power and outages last- ed for days in some major cities. Outlying areas were without power for weeks, according to National Geo- graphic. It’s important to know how to handle a pow- er outage to keep everyone safe and comfortable until power can be restored. tery-powered devices like flashlights, lanterns and ra- dios. Charge mobile phones and other devices so they’re at 100 percent power. Keep a cache of nonper- ishable food available and plan to use any perishable items that are in the re- frigerator first. A refrig- erator can keep food cold for about four hours after power has ceased, states Ready.gov, while a freezer can keep the temperature for about 48 hours if full. Packing these appliances with ice or frozen bottles of water can help. Purchase books, board games and puzzles to have activities to pass the time until power resumes. Invest in a generator If you live in an area that is affected by frequent pow- er outages, a power genera- tor may prove a worthwhile investment. Generators come in two basic types. A portable generator can be rolled into place and uses gasoline as fuel. Plug in a set number of household items, depending on the amount of power the appli- ance can accommodate. A whole-house generator can be hard-wired to a home’s electrical system and auto- During a power outage matically engage should a Report the power outage power outage occur. to the power company if it seems localized; otherwise, Prepare in advance wait for updates to see who In anticipation of a pow- is affected. er outage, stock up on bat- Try to remain cool or warm if the HVAC system is not functioning. Pool re- sources by having everyone in the family gather in one room of the house. Older adults and children are es- pecially vulnerable to ex- treme temperatures. Maintain food supplies that do not require refriger- ation, including two gallons of bottled water per individ- ual. People who take refrig- erated medications should only ingest drugs that have been at room temperature until a new supply is avail- able, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention. Power outages routinely occur and require planning and safety precautions until power is restored. The differences between weather warnings and watches Weather is hard to pre- dict. Meteorologists have many tools at their disposal to help forecast storms and other phenomena, but it is impossible to predict the weather with 100 percent accuracy. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, the National Weather Service may issue certain notices to prepare the public. Under- standing the level of threat a notice carries can help people take appropriate ac- tion and avoid serious con- sequences. The NWS uses a four-tier system to alert the public of hazards. Here’s a closer look at what each tier constitutes. Outlook This is the least serious weather alert. It usual- ly means that hazardous weather may approach in the next three to seven days. The public should monitor the situation and stay tuned for further updates. Advisory With an advisory, weath- er conditions are not over- ly serious but could prove inconvenient. Individuals should be cautious and pru- dent when preparing sup- plies or traveling. Watch During a weather watch, there is an increased risk of a hazardous weather occur- rence, though the timing or location is still uncertain. This is when it is essential to practice an evacuation or preparedness plan and stock up on any last-minute supplies. with issuing alerts. That de- pends on how fast a weather situation develops. If there is time, an advisory, then a watch and then a warning may be issued. However, if notices so they can be pre- a storm moves in rapidly, pared should severe weath- only a warning may be is- er be in the forecast. sued. People always should pay attention to weather Warning The most serious of the weather impact notifica- tions, a warning constitutes an imminent or likely event. The weather may cause a threat to property or life. Immediate action to stay safe is necessary. While these alerts are based on the severity of impending weather, it is important to note that the NWS will not necessarily follow the same timeline PREPARDENESS IS ABOUT COMMUNITY NOT CATASTROPHE Have you talked about shelter in place with your family? Do you know what to do in case of an emergency? WHAT TO DO Take precaution before an emergency, get your family disaster supplies including tents, animal carriers, medicine, fresh food and water for two weeks or up to two months of nonperishables, pantry items and bottled water. Make sure you stock up enough for your animals both big and small. Carry fresh batteries and a spare cell phone charger, including one you can use in your car. Make sure you have a working radio. Stock plenty of propane, lighters or matches and other sources of heat in case utilities are down for days. Buy a generator if possible, in an emergency it could provide energy for your television or refrigerator or oxygen tank. STAY INFORMED Community preparedness is important. If you are prepared, are you available to help your neighbor if they are not? Your local post offi ce or newspaper may be delayed but, local radio and television stations will still carry important messages. The elderly or disabled may need help shoveling their walkways to get out of snow or debris, they may not be able to communi- cate this to you but, look for signs of distress. Your neighbor may need help getting food and water, charging their cellphone, getting to appointments, locating a loved one through social media, or in need of medical supplies for themselves or their pets. This is when community works at its best. RESOURCES Stay in contact with Lane County Sherrifs for welfare checks. Visit Lane County Alert Sense online and sign up to receive emergency alerts. Check out the Red Cross’ Preparedness Guide. Take a look at Living on Shaky Ground, Oregon’s Emergency Management Guide to surviving natural disasters. Or hold onto this special section and keep it near your phone book or in your emergency backpack. For more information: www.ci.creswell.or.us www.facebook.com/cityofcreswell Text “Hi” to (541)204-2320 to register to receive announcements from the City of Creswell. How to identify a possible gas leak. If you smell ROTTEN EGGS it could be a gas leak. And the best thing to do is leave your home and call NW Natural. We’ll be out to make sure everything is safe. Unsure of what to do? Just take a look at our tips to the right. Smell. Go. Let Us Know. 800-882-3377 If you smell a rotten egg or sulfur odor, you hear a blowing or hissing sound, or you see blowing dirt, it could be a gas leak. What to do. Leave your home and the area immediately. Don’t use any electrical device such as a light switch, telephone, appliance or garage door opener. And don’t try to find the leak yourself. Who to call. Go outside and use your cell phone, or a neighbor’s phone, and call NW Natural at 800-882-3377.