|
 As bizarre as that question might sound, it’s just
another issue Americans must navigate during our country’s COVID-19
outbreak and its aftermath – a collective reality that is bleeding
over into spring storm season.
"While it is true that many people are hunkered down at home these
days, essential workers must still report to work, says Erin
Hollinshead, executive director of Safe Electricity. "Tornadoes do
not observe social distancing or wait to drop until everyone is in
their own home."
On Easter Sunday, tornadoes barreled down on several states, killing
at least 33 people and wreaking havoc on homes and businesses along
the way. The twisters caused damage along the power distribution
path, causing more than one million homes and businesses to be
without power.
More than 60 tornadoes were reported as the storms spread from Texas
and Arkansas, across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia,
Carolinas, and Tennessee.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) released tornado
sheltering guidelines and recommended individuals “not let the virus
prevent you from taking refuge during a tornado,” says Hollinshead.
"A public tornado shelter is the best location for protection; just
practice social distancing and disease prevention guidelines as best
as possible."
Although two crises are definitely not better than one, these unique
times call for preparedness, and plenty of it.
“Because April, May and June are the peak months for
tornado activity, make sure you have a weather plan in place and
determine the best option for protection,” says Hollinshead.
“Determine the best place in your home, which is ideally in the
basement away from windows, and if not, an interior room without
windows. If you are away from home, be sure to seek a safe place
such as a public shelter, the interior of a building, or a hard-top
car.” [to top of second
column] |
After the storm passes, Safe Electricity recommends
the following safety precautions:
Be aware that downed power lines, stray wires, and debris touching
them all have the potential to deliver a fatal shock.
Just because power lines are damaged does not mean
they are dead or de-energized. Stay away and instruct others to do
the same.
Never enter a flooded basement if electrical outlets
are under water. The water could be energized.
Do not turn power off if you must stand in water to
do so. Call your power company, who will dispatch an employee to
turn off power at the meter.
Before entering storm-damaged buildings, make sure
electricity and gas are turned off.
Do not use water-damaged electronics.
If you are driving and come along a downed power
line, stay away and warn others to do the same. Pull over and call
911 to report the downed line.
If you clean up outdoors after a storm, do not use
electronic equipment when it is raining or the ground is wet.
[Source: Erin Hollinshead, Executive
Director, Safe Electricity
Writer: Ann Augspurger, Communications Director, Safe Electricity]
Safe Electricity is the
award-winning, public awareness program of the Energy Education
Council, a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization established in 1952
on the campus of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. With
offices located in Springfield, Safe Electricity operates under the
University of Illinois Extension and is led by a board of directors.
Since the Safe Electricity program was created in 2001, it has
provided thousands safety-minded resources to its more than 500
utility members from across the country to help save lives and
reduce injuries. |
