#17,190
On Monday, in A Winter Storm For The Holidays, we looked at the potential for power outages across the nation late this week due to a predicted winter storm. This morning, more than 250,000 customers are without power as this record-setting cold wave continues to plunge south and east.
Last month, in The NERC 2022-2023 Winter (Electrical Grid) Reliability Assessment, we looked back at the devastating impacts of 2021 WINTER STORM URI, and a new warning `. . . that a large portion of the North American bulk power system is at risk of having insufficient energy supplies during severe winter weather.'
As this storm intensifies over the Great Lakes, its winds are expected to increase, likely increasing the chances for downed trees and power lines, particularly across the northern tier of states. But bitter cold, and high power demands, will persist across 2/3rds of the nation for the next few days.
Power outages this weekend will be particularly dire for those who heat via electricity. While most northern homes have some alternative heat source, for those who live in the south, electric heat is more common.
Having a way to stay safely stay warm during the winter (or cool during the summer) in a grid-down situation is one of the tenets of my 12 steps to better preparedness (see below). Although where you live and your local threat environment may dictate some changes, the general goals for personal and family preparedness should include:
- A battery operated NWS Emergency Radio to find out what was going on, and to get vital instructions from emergency officials
- A decent first-aid kit, so that you can treat injuries
- Enough non-perishable food and water on hand to feed and hydrate your family (including pets) for the duration
- A way to provide light when the grid is down.
- A way to cook safely without electricity
- A way to purify or filter water
- A way to handle basic sanitation and waste disposal.
- A way to stay cool (fans) or warm when the power is out.
- A small supply of cash to use in case credit/debit machines are not working
- An emergency plan, including meeting places, emergency out-of-state contact numbers, a disaster buddy, and in case you must evacuate, a bug-out bag
- Spare supply of essential prescription medicines that you or your family may need
- A way to entertain yourself, or your kids, during a prolonged blackout
Tragically, after nearly every major power outage - when people are using camp stoves, barbecues, or generators in or near to their homes - we hear of deaths and injuries from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Sometimes, involving entire families.
- Following nearly every major hurricane the CDC issues a HAN Advisory on the dangers of CO (see CDC HAN #00476 : Hurricanes Fiona and Ian—Clinical Guidance for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning)
- In 2012, in MMWR: Carbon Monoxide Exposures Related To Hurricane Sandy, we looked at a preliminary MMWR report that cited more than 260 CO exposures (4 fatal) In the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
- Four years earlier, the MMWR reported 54 CO exposures following Hurricane Ike in Texas.
Try to stay warm this weekend. But do it safely.
