Your electric service is generally very reliable, but outages do happen. Why? The causes range from weather conditions to equipment issues to scheduled events. Here are nine reasons why power outages can occur and how you can prepare for them.
• Extreme weather. Weather events such as thunderstorms, high winds, ice storms, as well as tornadoes can damage power lines and electrical infrastructure, causing power outages.
• Natural disasters. Disasters, such as wildfires and earthquakes, can also lead to power interruptions across widespread areas.
• Animals. Animals, such as squirrels and birds, can cause power outages when they come into contact with transformers and power lines.
• Trees. Trees or branches falling on power lines during storms or due to old age can disrupt electricity supply.
• Vehicles. A vehicle collision with a utility pole can damage equipment and cause a power interruption.
• Overload. During peak usage times, the demand for electricity may exceed the supply, causing power outages.
• Equipment failure. All mechanical equipment may be subject to damage or failure over time, and this includes generators, transformers, and other electrical infrastructure.
• Human error. Mistakes made during equipment maintenance, construction, roadwork, or digging can result in power interruptions.
• Planned outages. Sometimes, power companies need to turn off the power to perform routine maintenance or upgrade infrastructure. Customers affected by planned outages are typically notified ahead of time to allow them to prepare.
Preparing for an outage
While the causes of outages may vary, it’s important to be prepared. The following tips will help you be ready when the next outage occurs:
• Store flashlights around the house in readily accessible areas, and maintain an adequate supply of candles.
• Keep a supply of fresh batteries for radios, flashlights, and other electronic devices.
• Maintain supplies of healthy and filling snacks that don’t require refrigeration, such as dried fruits, nuts, and protein bars.
• Have heavy blankets and quilts available in case an outage occurs during cold weather.
• If a family member requires access to powered medical equipment, coordinate an emergency plan with your doctor.
• Maintain backup generators according to product instructions and store an adequate supply of fuel in a safe place. Make sure to operate generators safely according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
During an outage, monitor local radio stations or CEL&P’s social media channels for information about the cause of the outage, expected duration, and restoration activities. See Ready.gov or www.celp.com for more tips about what to do before, during, and after an outage.
Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power contributes a monthly column to the Journal Review.
