SVEC Winter Weather Preparations

In a press release Tuesday, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative informed customers of the company’s preparations for the predicted snowstorm, and offered some warnings and advice for personal preparations. With heavy snow in the forecast for parts of the SVEC service area in the days ahead, the company has pulled together key staff members responsible for working these types of situations and has implemented a plan of action to coordinate a response to the severe weather.

SVEC will have extra support staff on standby, ready to respond, should the situation require additional help – they continue to monitor the progression of the storm and are in regular contact with the National Weather Service.

SVEC would like to remind customers that now is the time to prepare for possible inclement weather. The potential for heavy snow and other winter weather presents the chance for power outages.  “Blinking” of lights may also occur, and this is a normal condition during an event such as this.  With the forecasted amount of snow, it is possible that outages may last an extended period of time.

When tree limbs break as a result of heavy snow and fall on power lines, outages are possible. SVEC makes every effort to have power restored to members as quickly and safely as possible, and would like to offer these tips in case of an outage:

▪ Do not make any attempts to clear trees or other debris from power lines.  Note the location, and any other important information regarding these situations, and contact SVEC. The company will work to ensure that power is restored as soon as possible.  Avoid contact with downed power lines.

▪ If you are an SVEC customer and lose power, call the company at 1-800-234-7832, even if you think your neighbor may have called.  It is more effective for SVEC to know where all outages are.

▪ It is a good idea to make sure that your cell phone, if you have one, is completely charged, in the event of an outage.

To make sure you and your family have the necessities for an outage, SVEC advises that you prepare a home outage kit. Good items to include are:

▪ Flashlights and extra batteries

▪ A battery operated radio

▪ Candles or lanterns and matches

▪ An alternate source of heat

▪ Canned or packaged foods, powdered milk and beverages, dry cereal

▪ Water (one gallon per person per day for drinking; fill bathtub and other containers for flushing toilets and other needs)

▪ Non-electric can opener

▪ Disposable plates and utensils

▪ Camp stove or other emergency cooking device

▪ Extra blankets or sleeping bags

▪ Fire extinguisher

▪ First aid kit

▪ If needed, extra baby food, formula, diapers