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Improper use of generators, heaters can be extremely dangerous

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 2, 2014) – With a winter storm bearing down on Kentucky today, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is urging residents who lose power to exercise caution when using portable generators or clearing storm debris.

The National Weather Service is forecasting ice accumulations of more than half an inch in parts of Kentucky, making this the worst ice event since January 2009. Strong winds tonight are expected to put further strain on ice-coated trees and power lines.

The PSC is reminding Kentucky residents to stay away from all downed lines. Downed lines should be reported to the local utility company. If the lines are sparking, on fire or otherwise creating an emergency, call 911.

Customers who lose power should follow proper safety precautions if they use portable generators or heating devices, PSC Chairman David Armstrong said.

“Fortunately, this storm is forecast to be much less severe than in the one in 2009,” Armstrong said. “Nevertheless, it has the potential to cause some serious power outages.

“As we have learned from previous storms, improper use of portable generators can be extremely dangerous,” he said. “Many Kentuckians have lost their lives, and many others have been hospitalized, as the result of being poisoned by carbon monoxide emitted by portable generators that were not used correctly.”

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning or fire hazards:

• Generators should only be operated outside in well-ventilated areas and never in a garage, basement or breezeway.
• Do not operate generators near windows, doors or in other areas where exhaust fumes could be drawn into a home or other occupied structure.
• Do not use charcoal grills, gas grills or other open-flame devices indoors for heating or cooking.
• Use only portable heaters certified for indoor use. They should be placed in well-ventilated areas and kept well away from combustible materials.
• To prevent fires, generators should never be refueled while they are running. Refuel only after the generator has been turned off and allowed to cool.

The PSC also is reminding electric customers who use a portable generator of electric safety guidelines that will protect them and those working to restore power. Keys to safe operation of generators include:

• Make sure a generator is properly sized for the load you will place on it. Remember that starting an electric motor, such as a refrigerator or air conditioner compressor, requires more electricity than the amount needed to keep it running. DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR GENERATOR.
• Use only three-prong, grounded extension cords, properly rated for the load, to connect appliances to generators.
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED POWER INTO YOUR HOME BY ADAPTING AN EXTENSION CORD TO CONNECT A GENERATOR TO A WALL OUTLET. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
• DO NOT CONNECT A GENERATOR TO INSIDE WIRING IN ANY WAY UNLESS YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS IS EQUIPPED WITH A TRANSFER SWITCH THAT PREVENTS POWER FROM FLOWING BACK INTO (BACKFEEDING) THE WIRES THAT SUPPLY YOUR ELECTRICITY.

Backfeeding poses a severe danger to workers attempting to restore electrical service. They can be severely injured or killed by power flowing back into lines which they assume are not carrying electricity. Also, if the line to your home or business becomes grounded, backfeeding can permanently damage your generator.

Customers who lose power should contact their utility company immediately. Most utilities in Kentucky have systems that use customer reports to help identify the location of the problem and determine what repairs are needed.

“It is important that every customer call to report an outage,” Armstrong said. “But repeated calls simply tie up the utility’s phone system. Call at once, but call only once.”

Customers who lose power also should check electric connections and meters for damage. Damaged connections or meters must be repaired before power can be restored to a home or business.

“It is critical that damaged connections be repaired by a qualified professional and inspected before power is restored,” PSC Chairman Armstrong said. “In past outages, fires and severe damage have been caused by damaged or improperly repaired service connections.”

Repairing a service connection or meter base is the responsibility of the individual customer. The meter base is the square or rectangular box on which the meter itself is mounted. It belongs to the property owner. The meter itself – the circular, glass-enclosed portion that attaches to the meter base – is the property of the utility company.

Customers with damaged connections or meters should take the following steps:

• Notify the utility company that the service connection, meter base and/or meter is damaged. The utility can then make sure that the line is not energized until repairs are completed.
• In the event that only the meter itself is damaged, contact the utility to have it repaired or replaced and your service restored.
• Contact an electrician to repair the meter base or service connection. The repair work can be done prior to power being restored in an area, thus eliminating any additional delays.
• The electrician will obtain the proper meter base from the utility. Some utilities impose no charge for the meter base, but the customer will bear the installation cost.
• Have the repairs inspected by a state-certified inspector working for your local government. The electrician should be able to help arrange the inspection.
• Notify the utility when the repairs are complete and have been approved. A utility technician will install a new meter and restore the power.
• Keep all repair records and contact your property insurer.

Residents SHOULD NOT attempt to remove any branches, limbs or trees that have fallen across service connections or other utility lines. Notify the utility to arrange for the debris to be removed.

“We know that the very cold weather makes these utility disruptions particularly unpleasant and dangerous,” Armstrong said. “We urge people to be patient and to take proper precautions to protect their health and safety while they wait for power to be restored.”

The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy
and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and
telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.

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FOR STORM OUTAGE UPDATES, FOLLOW THE PSC ON TWITTER @KYPSC

Article source: http://psc.ky.gov/agencies/psc/press/032014/0302_r01.PDF

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 2-8, 2014

Severe weather could happen anytime. In May 2013, tornadoes devastated part of central Oklahoma. This outbreak included the deadliest tornado of the year on May 19 in Moore, Oklahoma. In just one month, November 2013, at least 70 tornadoes spanned seven Midwestern states.

Each year, people suffer or are seriously injured by severe weather despite advance warning. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have partnered for the third year to highlight the importance of making severe weather preparedness a nationwide priority.

We all want the peace of mind of knowing that our families, friends, homes and our businesses are safe and protected from threats of any kind. And while we can’t control where or when the next disaster will hit, we can take action by preparing ourselves and loved ones for emergencies and learning what actions to take.

Knowing your risk, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you could take to be better prepared to save your life and others.

Know your risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. During active weather, stay alert of the forecast by listening to radio or television, check the weather forecast regularly at weather.gov/Louisville, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio and listen for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your cell phone. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take action: Develop an emergency plan based on your local weather hazards and practice how and where to take shelter before a severe weather event. Post your plan in your home where visitors can see it. Learn how to strengthen your home and business against severe weather. Take action and participate in a local event on April 30 through America’s PrepareAthon and ensure you know what to do when severe weather occurs

Be a Force of Nature: Once you have taken action, tell your family, friends, school staff and co-workers about how they can prepare. Share the resources and alert systems you discovered through your social media network. Studies show that individuals need to receive messages a number of ways before acting – be one of those sources.

Learn more at www.weather.gov and www.ready.gov/severe-weather or the Spanish-language web site www.listo.gov. Follow the National Weather Service Louisville Office on Twitter @NWSLouisville and Harrison County Emergency Management @HarrisonEMA.

On February 13, 2014, Governor Stephen L. Beshear signed a Proclamation, declaring the week of March 2-8, 2014 as Severe Weather Awareness week.

A PDF of the Proclamation is available for viewing on the Kentucky Emergency Management website: http://kyem.ky.gov/.

Text of the Proclamation follows:

 

---

 

Proclamation

by

Stephen L. Beshear

Governor

of the

Commonwealth of Kentucky

 

To All To Whom These Presents Shall Come:

WHEREAS, Severe weather can strike at any time in Kentucky, causing extensive and long-lasting effects upon Kentuckians and impacting personal lives, the social structure and the economy on both the local and state levels; and

WHEREAS, Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) is charged with the responsibility of preparing Kentucky for all forms of natural disasters, including severe weather; and

WHEREAS, KYEM cooperates with other state and federal government agencies, the National Weather Service, the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee, local emergency officials and private corporations to prepare the citizens of the Commonwealth for severe weather; and

WHEREAS, All Kentuckians are encouraged to participate in the 2014 Statewide Tornado Safety Drill to be held on March 4, at approximately 10:07 a.m. EST;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVEN L. BESHEAR, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby proclaim March 2-8, 2014 as

 

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK

 

in Kentucky, and urge all public and private institutions, as well as residents, to note its observance and take necessary actions to prepare and protect our people and property that could be threatened as a result of severe storms.

DONE AT THE CAPITOL, in the City of Frankfort the 13th day of February, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen and in the 222nd year of the Commonwealth.

 

STEVEN L. BESHEAR
GOVERNOR

 

 

ALISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES
SECRETARY OF STATE

 

Press Release Date:	Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Revision Date:	Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Contact Information:	Contact: Buddy Rogers – 502-607-1611
Source URL:	http://migration.kentucky.gov/newsroom/dma_kyem/severeweatheraw.htm

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee and the National Weather Service are teaming up to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky, March 2-8. Severe Weather Preparedness Week encourages individuals, families, businesses and communities to know about severe weather risks and take action to prepare for them. Each year Kentuckians are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite  advance warning. In 2013, there were seven weather related fatalities reported in Kentucky, five by drowning while driving through flooded roadways and two from lightning strikes.

Severe weather knows no boundaries and affects every individual in every region of the Commonwealth. Because of this, we are asking you to BE AWARE – BE PREPARED – HAVE A PLAN!

. BE AWARE: “Knowing your risk, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared and assist in saving lives,” said Mike Jones, interim director of KYEM.

. BE PREPARED: “Preparedness means understanding that disasters can happen without notice, and taking necessary measures in advance is the simplest way to care for yourself and members of your family when severe  weather strikes,” said Buddy Rogers, chair of the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee.

. HAVE A PLAN: “Know your risks and have a plan in place,” said John Gordon, Louisville National Weather Office Meteorologist in Charge. “Preparedness starts at home. It starts with being aware of conditions and situations that threaten you and your family’s safety and then taking appropriate steps to mitigate those risks.”

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, a Statewide Tornado Safety Drill is scheduled to take place March 4 at 10:07 a.m. Eastern time. The National Weather Service will trigger the drill using a code which will activate NOAA Weather Alert Radios,outdoor warning sirens, and broadcast media alerts. If inclement weather is in the forecast that day, the drill will be postponed and rescheduled at a later date.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to be prepared:

Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, get a NOAA Weather Radio, and sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take Action:  Take steps to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes developing a family communication plan, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place. Take time to practice the Statewide Tornado Safety Drill and discuss the drill with your family and co-workers.

Be an Example:  Share your severe weather plan and preparedness actions with your family and friends. Many people use social media in the event of a disaster to let relatives and friends know they are safe, why not use it to prepare?  People are most likely to take preparedness steps if they observe the preparations taken by others. Social media provides the perfect platform to model preparedness actions for others.

Previously, Gov. Steve Beshear signed a proclamation naming March 2 – 8 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky. The proclamation, information on KYEM, additional resources and severe weather safety tips can be found at www.kyem.ky.gov. Here you can also follow KYEM on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Weather forecast, related links and additional weather preparedness information are also available at

www.ready.gov and www.weather.gov.

###

Press Release Date:	Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Contact Information:	Contact: Buddy Rogers Office: 502.607.1611 Cell: 502.382.6006

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 13, 2014) – On Monday, Feb 17 at 10:00p.m Eastern , Kentucky Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee will team up with Kentucky Educational Television to host the KET Show, Severe Weather – Staying Safe!

The show is part of the Commonwealth’s efforts to highlight Severe Weather Week in Kentucky, which is March 2 through 8.

Show host Bill Goodman will lead discussion among a group of weather and preparedness experts regarding severe weather, historic weather events and weather safety tips. Goodman will also take viewers’ weather-related questions for panelists to answer on the air.

The panelists are Charles O’Neal, Deputy Director of Kentucky Emergency Management; John Gordon, National Weather Service Louisville Office Meteorologist in Charge; Jon Akers, Executive Director Kentucky Center for School Safety; and Chris Allen, Weather Director at WBKO Bowling Green, KY.

Discussion will recap this winter’s arctic cold, the Feb. 29 and March 2 tornadoes of 2012, and historic weather events such as the 2009 ice storm and the 2010 floods.

Viewers who call in will be asked to take part in a short survey to help officials better inform and alert the public regarding severe weather. Five Midland Corp. weather alert radios will be awarded to callers whose names are drawn at random.

“One of the survey questions is who owns a weather alert radio,” said Buddy Rogers, spokesman for KYEM and chair of KWPC. “Last year we found that 67 percent of all callers did not. We found this alarming.”

Weather alert radios are relatively inexpensive to purchase, according to Rogers. “Not only do they provide NWS weather forecasts and warnings, they alert you indoors where community outdoor sirens do not. The bottom line is they save lives.”

Rogers getting that message out will be a focus during this year’s Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Also as part of awareness activities in March, the NWS, partnering with KYEM and Kentucky Broadcasters Association will conduct a tornado test message Tuesday, March 4 at approximately 10:07 a.m. EST. This test will activate NOAA Weather Radios and broadcast media. Schools, businesses, government agencies and citizens across the Commonwealth are encouraged to participate in the annual Statewide Tornado Safety Drill.

A tornado safety drill survey is available online, allowing Emergency Management and other officials to measure and improve preparedness for such occasions. The survey, the Governor’s proclamation, items for an emergency kit and plan, additional weather information and important links are available at http://kyem.ky.gov/preparedness , where you can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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