High Wind and Storms in the Area: What to Do if the Power Goes Out
Red Cross has advice on how to cope if the electricity goes off
Photos
All of Northeast Ohio is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
With high wind and thunderstorms possible this evening, the American Red Cross has advice on how to handle a potential power outage:
Before the Outage
• Keep a couple of coolers on hand to store your cold food. Surround it with ice and make sure you have a digital quick-check thermometer to test whether the food has gotten too warm.
• Have an emergency kit on hand with non-perishable food, water, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, cash, medications and personal hygiene items.
• Keep a non-cordless phone around. It's likely to work when the power is out.
• Make sure your car's gas tank is full.
During the Outage
• Keep the refrigerator door closed -- food will stay cold inside about four hours. Eat that food first, then move on to the freezer, which will keep food cold 24 to 48 hours, depending on how full it is.
• In an extended outage, move freezer food to a cooler with ice.
• Turn off and unplug electronics and appliances to prevent damage from a power surge when the electricity comes back on.
• If using a generator, connect equipment directly to the generator. Don't connect it to your home's electrical system.
After
• Toss any food that has reached 40 degrees for two hours. If frozen food hasn't reached that temperature, you can re-freeze it.
• Don't trust the appearance or odor of food that has gotten too warm. Even if it looks and smells fine, bacteria can still be growing, and cooking won't kill the toxins.
Michael A. Miller
5:11 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I don't think rain, Winter, change of seasons or anything else will be a problem in the foreseeable future since Cleveland turned into Unremitting Summer Purgatory last Fall.
Chris (Kit) Myers
5:35 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Call the women and children inside. Cower in the basement. Have a change of underwear handy. We've never had a good rousing electrical storm before!
Enjoy it. It's been a long time.
I.M. Wright
6:36 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Auntie Em!
Auntie Em!
Chris (Kit) Myers
6:40 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I just saw Margaret Hamilton, riding her bicycle across the sky.
I.M. Wright
6:44 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
*wiping water off computer monitor*
LOL
Amanda Harnocz
7:10 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
haha. It's like we've never seen rain ... oh wait, it has been awhile.
Chris (Kit) Myers
7:06 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I was watching out the door and saw a grey Toronado going down the street.
Amanda Harnocz
7:12 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I hope you took pictures. you should add it to the pics & clips gallery: www.stow.patch.com/pics. (haha, sorry, sometimes I think I'm just on Patch autopilot.)
Tom Brennan
7:24 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Just a whole lot of nothing....again.
Steve
9:28 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Sorry folks, we just got our power back on here in western lakewood. Flat line winds were clocked at over 90. Trees took out our power lines. And I swore I saw I.M.Wright coasting by, thats ok, no loss here.
Michael A. Miller
9:45 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
It was the usual 10-gallon flash flood in the south of Lakewood. I'm surprised it didn't rain while the sun was out, then not yield a rainbow like it always does.
Evan Hammersmith
8:04 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
You forgot to add: If you lose power, it's important to keep your home well lit with plenty of candles. Preferably located on combustible surfaces, and in all rooms of the house, whether occupied or not.
Michael A. Miller
8:17 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
I don't want to minimize the importance of the helpful tips in this piece, but I'm never not amused by the notion of being able to keep extra cash on hand.
Chris (Kit) Myers
9:26 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
How strong was the storm and what precautions should one take? Here's my experience and what I will do to remain safe and sound during future events of this nature.
I was on my way to Gloucester during yesterday's strong rain showers. I stepped in a puddle, right up to my middle, and I'll never go there again!
Dr. Foster
Maria Cross
1:55 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I live in Mentor and have been without power since 9 o'clock last night!!!! REALLY!!!? When is power going to be restored I ask? All a girl wants is a warm shower!