Blustery winter storm could bring power outages to central PA. How you can prepare
Charge your phone and put fresh batteries in your flashlights, Christmas weekend’s windy and frigid storm has brought plenty of potential for power outages.
The National Weather Service State College reported heavy to moderate snow would be hitting the western part of Pennsylvania Friday morning, “producing brief blizzard conditions” and making roads potentially dangerous for travel.
A wind chill warning is in effect for portions of the central part of the state, including State College and other parts of Centre County, with potential chills as low as 35 degrees below zero.
The blustery, snowy conditions make power outages more likely. West Penn Power was reporting a number of outages in the Keystone State Friday morning.
While most power outages will only last for a few hours, these tips sourced from Ready.PA.gov and the federal Ready.gov can help you outlast a true emergency, not just a temporary inconvenience.
Building an emergency store of supplies
Ideally, everyone should maintain at least a few of the supplies listed below, but if you’re one of the 48% of Americans who have no emergency supplies whatsoever, here’s what you need, according to Ready.gov:
Water (at least one gallon per person per day and enough to last you several days for drinking and sanitation).
Food (at least several days worth of non-perishable food).
Radio (either a hand crank or battery-powered radio tuned to a weather radio station near you.
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle
Dust mask
Plastic sheets and duct tape
Wrench or pliers
Manual can opener
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Additional items to include:
Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes
Prescription medications (An emergency can make it difficult to refill their prescription or find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.)
Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
If you have a baby, you’ll also need infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Cash and spare change
Important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
- Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and other personal hygiene items
A mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities
In the case of a power outage, you might still be able to read the news or check local websites and social media accounts with your phone, but you’ll likely want to keep the charge up on that as long as possible.
Instead, think about investing in a battery-powered radio and keep extra batteries around for it. This way, you can keep your phone available for emergency calls.
A supply of flashlights, batteries, candles and matches are also good to keep stocked up. Store them in a common area like your kitchen, and let other people you’re living with know where they are.
Emergency supplies for cold weather
As the seasons change, remember to top up your store of emergency supplies.
Set an annual reminder in your phone’s calendar for a shopping trip for the following items if you find you need to restock:
Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
Sand for traction on walkways
Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment
Warm clothing
Extra blankets
Think about how you would heat your home if you lost power for an extended period of time. If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, keep a supply of dry wood for burning.
If you heat with natural gas, make sure you refuel before running low. A fuel provider may not be able to reach you during a storm or other emergencies, sometimes for days.
Other tips to keep in mind during a power outage
In addition to maintaining a store of emergency supplies, there are some other key points you need to keep in mind.
Never ever run a generator inside your home in the event of a power outage. You should keep the generator running about 20 feet away from your home and away from any open windows or enclosed spaces.
Carbon monoxide fumes that generators give off can build up and prove deadly. Consider installing carbon monoxide detectors with battery back-ups to keep your family safe.
This also goes for charcoal powered grills and camp stoves. Never use them indoors. Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. If you think you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call your utility company.
Keep your fridge door closed. A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours, but will lose cold air each time the door opens. If your fridge’s temperature rises above 40 degrees, throw out your food.
If you have medicines that need to remain cool, plan ahead.
“Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures, and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life,” Ready.gov says.
If you lose power in the winter or when it’s cold outside, the National Weather Service recommends the following safety tips:
Close off rooms you aren’t using to avoid wasting heat.
Stuff towels or rags in the cracks under doors.
Close blinds or curtains to keep in some heat.
Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.
Drink lots of water and other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic drinks to prevent dehydration. Cold air is very dry.
Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, sweating and subsequent chill.
This story was originally published December 14, 2022 at 4:58 PM.