By Hillary Borrud / The Bulletin
Published: December 09. 2009 4:00AM PST advertisement:
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For updated information about the power outage and emergency services, call the Deschutes County emergency information line at 541-550-4888.
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The power will likely still be out for some households in the Sisters, Black Butte and Camp Sherman areas this morning, more than 24 hours after an outage hit 3,000 households began due to an equipment failure related to the cold weather.
Central Electric Cooperative also anticipated scattered, unrelated outages overnight, and crews planned to work through the night, according to a news release sent out late Tuesday.
Utility and contract crews had restored power by 6 p.m. Tuesday to about 70 percent of the 3,000 households from north Bend west to Black Butte Ranch and Camp Sherman that lost power during the outage that began early Tuesday morning.
Cold weather was a factor in the equipment failure that caused the outage, with subzero temperatures in Sisters overnight Monday and a high temperature of 12 degrees Tuesday. The temperature was forecast to dip back to 6 degrees below zero Tuesday night in Sisters.
The National Weather Service forecast continued cold temperatures through the weekend in Bend, with a high temperature barely topping freezing on Sunday, according to the service's Web site.
The problem began at about 2:30 a.m. when a connector stopped working, said Alan Guggenheim, CEC member services director. “Extreme cold weather caused it to fail,” he said.
The failure had a cascading effect, knocking out a 69,000-volt power transmission line near the Tollgate substation northwest of Sisters.
Some customers experienced power surges when electricity began flowing, causing it to fluctuate or go out again. Guggenheim suggested customers with power still out should turn off major appliances at the circuit breaker, or in the case of a furnace, dial down the thermostat, but leave on some lights, so they will know when power is restored.
When power returns, he said, customers should wait 15-20 minutes to turn on the appliances and the furnace, to ensure they get an even flow of electricity.
Few residents using shelter
As of Tuesday evening, CEC was working with Deschutes County Emergency Services, as well as the sheriff's offices in Deschutes and Jefferson counties.
Deschutes County Search and Rescue team members went from house to house in the Black Butte Ranch and Camp Sherman areas Tuesday to check on residents and visited the homes of 30 people with health conditions to see if they needed help, according to a Deschutes County news release.
Members of the Central Oregon Council on Aging also coordinated several groups to identify and contact vulnerable residents who might have needed help.
The Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross established a shelter at Sisters Elementary, 611 E. Cascade Ave., for residents who could not comfortably stay in their homes, but only one person had sought shelter there by 5 p.m. Tuesday, said Deschutes County spokeswoman Anna Johnson.
“We're going to put him in a hotel, because it's not reasonable to keep it open for one person,” she said.
Guggenheim recommended that those seeking shelter in other locations, such as a motel, check in with emergency officials at the school, in case relatives call to check on residents who have left home.
Bulletin reporter Tim Doran contributed to this report.
Hillary Borrud can be reached at 541-617-7829 or at hborrud@bendbulletin.com.
Showing posts with label outages. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outages. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
News Release from FEMA on Power Outages
News Release
THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING CUT POWER IN POCKETS ACROSS PACIFIC NW
Preparedness Tips When the Lights Go Out
SEATTLE – Last night, a massive line of thunderstorms struck across the Pacific Northwest, knocking out power in over 100 communities across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. But all power outages can cause a number of safety concerns as residents seek to light, heat, cool or power their homes from alternative sources, and emergency management officials urge residents to exercise caution.
“Our region is prone to natural disasters ranging from windstorms and lightning strikes, to seasonal flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, and even volcanic activity,” said FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger. “Power grids, generating plants, transformer stations, power poles and even buried cables are vulnerable. As we all review our family disaster plans and disaster kits, emergency power needs can rank right up with food, water, first aid kits and shelter, but we need to be careful!”
When the power fails, resist the temptation to call 9-1-1 for information—that’s what your battery-powered radio is for. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to prevent food spoilage. Turn off electric appliances to protect against power surges when power is restored. Turn off all lights but one (to alert you when power resumes). Plan on cell phones or corded phones for emergency calls—cordless phones require electricity. Keep your car fuel tank at least half-full (gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps). Candles can be dangerous fire hazards. Flashlights and electric lanterns are safer by far. Battery operated radios and clocks are other essentials, along with a supply of fresh batteries. If electric wheel chairs or electric life support devices are part of the equation, consider extra battery packs or a prearranged agreement from local police or fire stations for priority support.
Never use a portable generator in a garage, carport, basement, crawlspace or other enclosed or partially-enclosed area, even with ventilation. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately. Install home Carbon Monoxide alarms that have battery back-up. Store fuel safely.
When the power comes back on, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances to help eliminate problems that could occur if there’s a sharp increase in demand. If you think that electric power has been restored to your area but your home is still without power, call your local power company.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters
###
THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING CUT POWER IN POCKETS ACROSS PACIFIC NW
Preparedness Tips When the Lights Go Out
SEATTLE – Last night, a massive line of thunderstorms struck across the Pacific Northwest, knocking out power in over 100 communities across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. But all power outages can cause a number of safety concerns as residents seek to light, heat, cool or power their homes from alternative sources, and emergency management officials urge residents to exercise caution.
“Our region is prone to natural disasters ranging from windstorms and lightning strikes, to seasonal flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, and even volcanic activity,” said FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger. “Power grids, generating plants, transformer stations, power poles and even buried cables are vulnerable. As we all review our family disaster plans and disaster kits, emergency power needs can rank right up with food, water, first aid kits and shelter, but we need to be careful!”
When the power fails, resist the temptation to call 9-1-1 for information—that’s what your battery-powered radio is for. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to prevent food spoilage. Turn off electric appliances to protect against power surges when power is restored. Turn off all lights but one (to alert you when power resumes). Plan on cell phones or corded phones for emergency calls—cordless phones require electricity. Keep your car fuel tank at least half-full (gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps). Candles can be dangerous fire hazards. Flashlights and electric lanterns are safer by far. Battery operated radios and clocks are other essentials, along with a supply of fresh batteries. If electric wheel chairs or electric life support devices are part of the equation, consider extra battery packs or a prearranged agreement from local police or fire stations for priority support.
Never use a portable generator in a garage, carport, basement, crawlspace or other enclosed or partially-enclosed area, even with ventilation. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately. Install home Carbon Monoxide alarms that have battery back-up. Store fuel safely.
When the power comes back on, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances to help eliminate problems that could occur if there’s a sharp increase in demand. If you think that electric power has been restored to your area but your home is still without power, call your local power company.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters
###
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