In January, a windstorm created utility damage leading to an outage response that lasted for over 24 hours. Five crews and six service trucks were at work in freezing conditions from coast to county line, restoring power to thousands of Grays Harbor PUD customers. Lengthy outages like that are not common, but in the name of preparedness, should be planned for. In addition to flashlights and candles, outage kits should include warm clothes, a two-day supply of non-perishable food and water, and an emergency supply of any medications you might need. If the power goes out and you are concerned about the contents of freezers and refrigerators, make sure you keep them closed to seal in the cold air that is already inside. Portable generators can provide energy for important devices, but please make sure you review operating and safety instructions and have a supply of extra fuel on-hand. In the event of an outage spanning several days, having an alternative site to wait out the power restoration efforts, is a wise precaution. PUD crews are prepared to restore power as quickly as they can. Preparations on your part can help to manage that time a little more easily.
