Power Outage Preparedness
Report an outage: 509-422-3310 or 800-922-7011
Okanogan County Electric Co-op
Report an outage: 509-996-2228
Nespelem Valley Electric Co-op
Report an outage: 509-634-4571
Prepare
- Sign up for Okanogan County Alert System
- Inventory the items you need that rely on electricity.
- Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage.
- Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs.
- Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.
- Review your power outage kit supply:
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Water
- Nonperishable food
- Check your breakers to ensure it's not isolated to your panel.
- Check on your neighbors.
- STAY AWAY from downed power lines or broken poles.
- DO NOT attempt to remove fallen trees or branches tangled in power lines.
- Be careful with candles and other open flames.
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep temperature for about 48 hours.
- Generators:
- ONLY use generators outdoors and away from windows!
- Never try to power your house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This can lead to the electrocution of utility workers or neighbors served by the same utility transformer.
- Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
- Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
- Do NOT use a gas stove to heat your home.
- Food - When in doubt, throw it out!
- Throw away any food that has been exposed to a temperature of 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
- Medication - If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug's label says otherwise.
- If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.
