Make a Plan

Power outages can create a lot of inconveniences and problems. Being prepared to the best of your abilities will greatly relieve the stress that a power outage can bring. When severe weather is predicted, take the steps below to ensure that you have supplies and a plan of action so that everyone in your household is safe and taken care of should there be any power outages.

Before Severe Weather Hits

• Put together a kit of essentials and have daily necessities easily accessible (See list at the bottom of this page for suggestions)
• If your water is pumped electrically, fill a bathtub and any spare containers with water. If you are on a community water system, watch carefully for boil-water advisories.
• Set your refrigerator’s temperature to the coldest setting possible. In the event of a power outage food will stay fresh for longer. If you have a spare freezer or space in your freezer, place filled water bottles inside to freeze and you can transfer them to the refrigerator if the outage lasts for more than a day to help keep items cold.
• If anyone in your household or if any family depends on life support, inform your co-op beforehand to ensure their well-being.
• In the case of a tree falling on your home and possibly causing elemental damage indoors, have any important documents, photographs or paper items that may be damaged by rain kept in a safe, dry place.
• Have flashlights or lanterns handy with backup batteries for use in the dark in case of a power outage. Try to avoid using light sources that require flame.
• Make sure any re-chargeable items are fully charged, such as your cell phone, battery sources or entertainment for children.
• If your cell phone does not have internet access, keep a radio with extra batteries on hand to have access to local news updates and information regarding the storm.
• If you live alone, check-in with someone before and after the storm to let people know you’re okay. If you know someone who lives alone, check-in with them before and after the storm as well.

If there is an Outage

• Report any outages to Satilla EMC using our Outage Center, or by calling (888) 738-6926
• Treat all downed lines as dangerous. Always assume fallen power lines are energized and stay at least 10 feet away from lines and any nearby objects they may be touching. Never attempt to move power lines. Never touch a person or object that is in contact with a downed line; call 911.
• Unplug everything. As electricity is restored, it may create power surges that can destroy electronics. Leave one light switched on so you know when power has returned.
• Don’t use candles. Flashlights produce more light and won’t burn your house down. Bring solar landscape lights inside for extra light. (Don’t forget to put them out for recharging during the day.)
• Keep the fridge closed. The less you open fridge and freezer doors, the longer your food will stay cold. Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature. (The refrigerator will keep food properly cold for four hours if unopened. A full freezer will hold temperatures for 48 hours; 24 hours if half full.)

Listen to local radio stations or check SatillaEMC.com for status reports about affected areas and power restoration activities.

Warning: If you need to use a generator to energize your refrigerator or another necessary electric device, be sure to turn the breaker off at your house so you don’t feed electricity back on the line, unintentionally putting linemen at risk and causing a cascading outage once power is restored.

Put Together a Disaster Kit

A severe storm can knock out power in your area, leaving you without heat, running water or a way to cook food. It’s a good idea to put together an emergency supply in case of an emergency.

Gather or purchase:

• Water: 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Non-perishable, ready-to-eat, food.
• Manual can opener.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First-aid kit – including prescription medications.
• Tools: wrench, pliers, hammer and screwdriver to turn off utilities.
• Cellphone with car charger, battery pack or solar charger.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
• Complete change of clothes for each person.
• Cash and credit cards.
• Photocopies of important family documents (insurance policies, identification and bank account records) in a waterproof, portable container.
• Paper and pencil.
• Books, games, cards or puzzles for entertainment.
• Moist towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation.
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and other personal items.
• Pet food and extra water for your pet.
• Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio.