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Bad weather in the fall and winter weather brings a greater chance of power outages – normally
caused by high winds and falling trees and limbs.
Even though bad weather in the fall and winter months is the primary cause of power outages,
your power can go out anytime of the year and for any number of reasons. Typically a power
outage will last 2-4 hours, but in severe weather conditions can last all day or more. If you’re
prepared for an outage it is much easier to endure.
Plan ahead and make sure you have the following items on hand:
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A 2-3 day supply of canned/packaged food and fresh water (bottled) |
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Blankets |
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Flashlight and radio, with fresh batteries. Make sure you know where they are to make it easy to find them in the dark! |
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ALSO:
Make sure to have a “corded” telephone available and a phone jack to plug it into. Cordless phones do not work when the power is off.
Know how to operate your garage door manually. Electric garage doors will not work when the power is off.
Teach your kids to never touch a downed line and to tell an adult if they see one. |
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STAY AWAY from downed lines and NEVER TOUCH objects that are in contact with downed lines. |
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Report a power outage to the PUD immediately and any evidence of what
may have caused it (downed lines, loud noise, flash of light, trees on lines, etc. Please
do not call 911 to report your power is out. The PUD dispatch center is open 24-hours per
day at (360) 423-2210 or (800) 631-1131. |
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Cowlitz PUD line crews are called out at the onset of a power outage.
If you receive multiple busy signals while calling the PUD to report an outage, there is a
good chance your neighbors have already notified us. If you believe your outage is an
isolated incident, please continue to call until you get through. |
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After an outage has begun, we recommend that you unplug appliances that
will come on automatically (refrigerator, pump, etc.) once the power is restored. |
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NEVER use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane,
natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices INSIDE your home, basement, garage, or camper—or
even outside near an open window. |
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Unplug any equipment with electronic circuitry—computer, television,
microwave—which could be damaged by voltage fluctuations that could occur when power is restored. |
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Do not open the refrigerator/ freezer when power is off. A refrigerator keeps
food cold for a few hours during an outage, while food in the freezer can stay frozen for
two-to-three days—but the door must remain closed. A full freezer keeps food frozen longer than
a half-full one. Wait until the power has been restored to open these doors and evaluate your food. |
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If you have a generator, please refer to our Generator
Safety tips before using it. |
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