Emergency Preparedness

Because June 1 marks the opening day of hurricane season, MVEC wants to remind you to take precautions. Here are tips you and your family should practice to stay safe before, during and after the storm.

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What Can Cause a Power Crisis?

Prepare for a power crisis by knowing what can cause one. Storms, of course, can wipe out your power, but did you know that temperature extremes, hackers, and even vehicle accidents can all contribute too? Here is a more comprehensive list to help you prepare.

Natural Disasters/Severe Weather

Hurricanes

High winds and downed trees from hurricanes can knock down power lines and cut off electricity to homes throughout the area.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are powerful storms that can destroy buildings, twist poles, and damage electrical infrastructure.

Heatwaves

Extremely high temperatures lead to sky-high energy demands. If those demands exceed the power grid’s capability, you could experience outages.

Cold Spells

Similarly, cold snaps can put strain on the electric grid, leading to shut downs at a time when having heat is of the essence.

Flooding

Rising waters can destroy or short out electrical infrastructure. It can also raise the chances of electrocution for anyone who touches the water or damaged wiring.

Storms

Storms of all kinds can take out trees, down power lines, and wipe out power across a wide area.

Cyberattacks

Hackers

Hackers who get into the power grid can shut down power to large areas. That can lead to a power crisis you need to be prepared for.

Malware

Malware, if it enters the wrong system, can take out power grids and energy infrastructure very rapidly.

Physical Threats

Any physical threats or unforeseen occurrences to our overall power infrastructure such as:

Vehicle accidents
Foreign/domestic physical attacks to our power grid
Insufficient power generation
Load shedding caused by peak demand surges

Year-Round Emergency Supply Kit

Never be caught unprepared during a power crisis. Keep these supplies on hand to ensure a 7-day supply of food and water, along with the essentials for children, personal care, transportation, and more. This kit will allow you to weather the crisis with less panic and more comfort.

Food

7-day supply of non-perishable food
Hand-operated can opener
Disposable plates, cups, utensils
Napkins or paper towels
Cookware to boil water
Propane tanks for your grill so you can cook

Baby Needs

Bottles, formula, and/or powdered milk
One-week supply of diapers
Baby wipes and diaper rash ointment

Water

Three gallons of water per person, per day
(FEMA recommends a 5-day supply)

Transportation

Maps of local and state roads
Directions to nearby shelters
Spare tire or tire patch kit
Emergency roadside flares or triangles
List of local services and their contact info

First Aid

Fully stocked first aid kit
Additional prescriptions or essential medicines
List of current medications and allergies
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Fire extinguisher
Extra cash in case ATMs are down

Sanitation & Personal Care

Trash bags
Disinfectant wipes or gels
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Toilet paper
Spare set of clothes and shoes for each person
At least one blanket per person
Personal, feminine care items
Soaps and shampoos
Dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape

Lighting

Flashlights and extra batteries
A large light source (e.g. fluorescent lantern)
Utility lighter
A wrench or set of pliers (to turn off utilities)

Pet Needs

One week of food and water
Leash and a crate or carrier
Bed, dishes, toys
Any medications
Battery-operated air pump for aquarium
Vet’s contact information

Communication

Battery-powered AM/FM radio
NOAA hazard-alert radio
Car or emergency charger for mobile devices
Small notepads and pencils
Games and activities that don’t require electricity

Preparing Before a Hurricane Arrives

Consider Pruning Your Front and Backyard

In storms, falling tree limbs are the primary cause of power outages and can contribute to damages to your home, vehicles, and property.

Tidy Up and Remove Any Items Around Your Yard That Could Become Projectiles, Such as:

Trash cans, lumber, containers, toys, patio furniture, grilling equipment, outdoor lighting, bird feeders, outdoor decorations, loose branches, garden tools, and any other lightweight or unsecured objects around the yard.

How do I Know if I Should Evacuate?

Monitor weather reports and consider evacuating if:

IF you receive a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on your phone issuing a mandatory evacuation.
IF local officials order or recommend residents in your area to evacuate.
IF you live in coastal areas.
IF you live on a barrier island with a history of storm surge damage.

IF you live in a low-lying or food prone area
IF you live in a manufactured home or prefabricated house such as mobile homes or RVs.
IF your home lacks hurricane structural integrity.
IF you are vacationers with young or elderly dependents.

NOTE: These are points to consider, but remember you are the ultimate decision maker and responsible for your safety and that of your family. Therefore, if you believe that evacuating is the best option, please do so.

Be Ready to Evacuate

Tailor your “GO Bag” to your specific needs. Below are some essential items to consider:

Important Documents and Paperwork:

ID, passports, driver’s license, birth certificate, SSN, health insurance information, financial documents, insurance policies, medical records, power of attorney documentations.

Food & Water

Personal-Sized First Aid Kit and Prescribed Medications

Mobile Phone, Portable Radio, Flashlight, Chargers, Multitool/Knife

Emergency Cash in Small Denominations

NOTE: Your “Go Bag” should be kept inside a waterproof container (e.g. re-sealable plastic bag).

Powering Up in the Aftermath

Restoring our power grid in the aftermath is just as crucial as preparing for a storm. The following steps will help us restore your electrical power as efficiently and safely as possible.

1. Be patient and do not stop our crews to ask them questions

Crews have a work plan to energize your community as promptly and safely as possible. Stopping our crews to ask them a question will only hinder their efficiency.

2. Stay away from downed powerlines

Report downed powerlines and safeguard your loved ones from powerlines or any other hazards. Treat every downed powerline as if it were energized.

3. Make sure your meter loop is not damaged

Sometimes you are left without power as we energize your neighborhood. Often, it’s because your meter loop was damaged during the storm. Ensuring your meter loop is in good serviceable condition, before we energize your meter, is your responsibility. Please contact an electrician for any repairs

4. Keep your porch light on, day and night

Small details such as leaving your porch light on will assist our crews in troubleshooting by distinguishing energized neighborhoods from those that still require attention.

Powering Up

After an outage.

1. High-Voltage Transmission Lines:

Transmission towers and cables that supply power to transmission substations (and thousands of members) rarely fail, but when damaged, these facilities must be repaired before other parts of the system can operate.

2. Distribution Substation:

A substation can serve hundreds or thousands of consumers. When a major outage occurs, line crews inspect substation to determine if problems stem from transmission lines feeding into the substation, the substation itself or if problems exist further down the line.

3. Main Distribution Lines:

If the problems cannot be isolated at a distribution substation, distribution lines are checked. These lines carry power to large groups of consumers in communities or housing developments.

4. Tap Lines:

If local outages persist, supply lines (also known as tap lines) are inspected. These lines deliver power to transformers, either mounted on poles or placed on pads for underground service, outside businesses, schools and homes.

5. Individual Homes:

If your home remains without power, the service lines between a transformer and your residence may need to be repaired. Always call to report an outage to help line crews isolate local issue.

Report an Outage

Report

Emergency Resources

Here’s a list of resources available to assist you during a major storm.
Keep the following contacts handy in case of an emergency.

4. Ready.gov

Website: ready.gov
Phone: 1-800-FED-INFO

5. Texas Health & Human Services

Website: 211texas.org
Phone: 211

6. Magic Valley

Phone: 1-866-225-5683
Website: magicvalley.coop

In an emergency, be sure to call 911 for assistance.

Hurricane Guide