PRESS RELEASE 12/8/13
CREWE, Va – Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) is closely monitoring the winter storm system . According to the National Weather Service (NWS), which has issued a Winter Storm Watch for most of SEC’s service territory, periods of sleet and freezing rain have been predicted with possible accumulation of a quarter-inch to a half-inch of ice in some areas. Members in the western and northwestern portions of SEC territory could experience 1-3 inches of snow accumulation as well. The NWS-issued watch is in effect through Monday morning.
Icy conditions are anticipated, and the possibility of downed lines, poles and other electrical equipment is expected. According to George Felts, SEC Manager of Engineering & Operations, SEC is currently making all necessary and appropriate preparations for the approaching storm. “Per our Emergency Restoration Plan, we have requested additional contract line crews to aid us in any possible restoration efforts. Ice can be particularly damaging to SEC’s electrical infrastructure, and we are taking this threat very seriously. All essential Cooperative employees and contractors have been placed on stand-by and will be available to deal with any power outages that may result from this storm,” noted Felts.
SEC Members are reminded that there is the potential for power outages as a result of ice accumulation on lines, poles and nearby trees. Members are urged to make the necessary preparations to deal with any interruption to their electric service resulting from the storm. These preparations include: flash lights with fresh batteries, a battery-powered radio, non-perishable food items, alternate sources of heat, telephones that do not require electricity to operate, and emergency contact numbers. SEC reminds all members to stay away from downed power lines or fallen trees/limbs that may be in close proximity to power lines. All damage should be reported to the Cooperative, and if necessary, local law enforcement.
If you experience a power outage, please call the Cooperative’s toll free outage number: 1-866-878-5514. Periodic updates on SEC’s power restoration efforts can be obtained on our outage map @ http://outage.sec.coop:8181. Please check for updated news releases @ www.sec.coop and also check for updates at our Facebook page: www.fb.com/SouthsideElectric
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