CENTRE– Cherokee Electric Cooperative reported 1,781 outages earlier Saturday morning, October 10. Meanwhile, crews are working to restore service as quickly as possible.
Drivers should slow down near utility crews and give workers plenty of room. Also, follow traffic directions and keep clear of repair areas.
Stay Away From Downed Power Lines
If you see a downed power line, call 911 and do not approach it. Treat every fallen line as energized, even if it does not spark or move.
The American Red Cross recommends staying at least 35 feet from fallen lines and anything they touch. In addition, keep children and pets away, and never attempt to move a line or nearby debris.
Use Generators Safely
For residents using portable generators, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends operating them outdoors. Also, keep them at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents.
Never run a generator inside a home, garage, or other enclosed space, even with doors open. Because exhaust contains carbon monoxide, use a battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide detector inside your home.
Never plug a generator into a wall outlet to supply power to your home. That can send electricity back onto utility lines and endanger crews and neighbors.
Protect Food and Report Outages
Meanwhile, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator generally keeps food cold for about four hours, according to the Red Cross.
Also, use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk. Residents who depend on powered medical equipment should arrange a safe backup location before an outage creates an emergency.
To report an outage, call Cherokee Electric Cooperative at 256-927-5524 or 800-952-2667. Have your account information ready when calling.
Residents can also check the cooperative’s outage map for updates. The 1,781 figure reflects the earlier morning report and may change as crews restore service.
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