Get Ready for Storm Season

Winter storms in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula can run the gamut from driving rain to sleet, snow, ice, blowing winds or any combination of these. While PenLight’s vegetation management and undergrounding programs help protect the reliability of our electric service, it is still important to be prepared. Below are a few tips from local emergency experts.

Before a storm:

• Make a family plan. Discuss emergency notifications and expectations with your workplace and/or schools. Ensure your family documents include current phone numbers, vehicle license plate numbers and photo identification.
• Gather emergency essentials such as battery-powered lanterns, flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies, bottled water and non-perishable food, including pet food. Keep a blanket and an extra set of warm clothes and walking shoes or boots in every vehicle.
• Have a few days’ supply of prescription medications on hand.
• Fully charge your cellphones, tablets, e-readers and backup portable power packs.
• Keep a battery-powered radio in a convenient spot. If you have a landline, ensure you have a corded phone available.
• If you have access to an outside generator, ensure your electric cord is long enough to keep the generator at least 20 feet from any door, window or vent.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions. KGHP radio keeps us up to date on the latest local news. They can be found at 89.3, 89.9 or 105.7 FM.
• Use surge protectors with an indicator light for electronic equipment that could be damaged by a power surge when power is restored. If your power goes out, turn off each surge protector. Have a lamp plugged directly into an outlet and leave it on when the power goes out. When power is restored, the lamp will turn on and it will be safe to turn your surge protectors back on.

During and after a storm:

• If your power goes out, please let us know via PenLight’s outage notification system. Call 877-853-1388 or use our text reporting system. See our article in the November/December issue of Lights to learn how to sign up.
• Be safe indoors. Never use generators, gasoline or propane heaters, or outdoor heating or cooking equipment such as a grill or camp stove inside your house or garage.
• If you venture outdoors, stay away from downed power lines and our PenLight crews while they work to restore your service.

For more tips on responding to power outages, as well as other electrical issues or emergencies, visit www.penlight.org/power-outages.