Westar ready for ice storm
Offers advice for customers, too
By Bobbi Mlynar
Monday, December 10, 2007
Westar Energy is as ready as it can be for an ice storm, and wants its customers to be prepared, too.
“We already have external crews headed this way to help us out,” said Gina Penzig, Westar spokeswoman. “At this point, we’re talking to (mutual aid) utilities — we would expect it would take their crews up to a couple of days to get there — and asking them to send them our way.”
Penzig said the company’s tree-trimming program earlier in the year should prove to be an important component in preventing some outages. Statistics show that areas that have not undergone recent trimmings are more likely to have tree branches, heavy with ice, fall onto electrical lines and knock out service.
“That’s our biggest part of preparation right there,” Penzig said of the trimming.
However, an ice storm creates enough problems in and of itself, and some combinations can be lethal to continuity of an energy supply.
“A light ice and a lot of wind can be just as damaging as heavy ice,” she noted. “If we get both, it can really be a problem.”
Penzig said that it is important for consumers to be prepared to deal with possible outages. The Westar Web site, www.westarenergy.com, lists items needed for a storm kit, and offers information about priorities and progress made in restoring power to specific areas.
Westar recommends assembling the following “storm kit” at home:
F emergency telephone numbers
F flashlights and fresh batteries
F battery-powered radio
F battery-powered or wind-up alarm clock
F supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day)
F non-perishable foods that don’t require heating
F blankets, bedding or sleeping bags
F first-aid kit and medications
F non-electric can opener
Penzig asked that customers call 1-800-544-4857 when outages occur. In the past, she said, neighbors often designated one family to report an outage in the area. Now, enhanced technology feeds each call into the Westar system and reflects a true picture of the extent of the outage, she said.
The 800 number can handle up to 30,000 calls per hour.
“So people are not going to get a busy signal,” she said. “... Really, we’re much better served if everyone calls.”
Residents also are asked to call 911 or the 800 number if they notice a line down, whether it is on a street, sidewalk, or in a yard. Do not go near it or try to move it.
“If you see a downed power line, you should assume that it is still energized,” Penzig said.
Westar will prioritize repairs, and will post information on its Web site. High concentrations of customers are more likely to be back in service earlier than others, and time schedules are difficult to adhere to when tree limbs or the lines themselves eventually crumple under the weight of the ice. It’s not as simple as restoring power after a lightning strike or other storm damage.
“It takes much longer to get a really good picture,” Penzig said. “Unfortunately, with an ice storm in particular it can be difficult to predict.”
Electric meters torn away from houses by the ice storm are the responsibility of the property-owner or resident, and will need to be repaired by privately hired electricians.
Penzig reminded residents to take precautions if the need arises to use generators.
“Make sure you take the time to review the safety instructions,” she said.
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
LOL, K. I always find it amusing when I'm watching/listening to the news and they're telling us what to do if we don't have power. Or giving recommendations to others who don't have power.
Like they're listening, ROFL!
M
December 10, 2007 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wasp (anonymous) says...
Yea, really! if you do not have have a charged up laptop and a dial up connection or a generator/power inverter, you are pretty much SOL on that!
December 10, 2007 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
You'll have to forgive my ignorance here... Would a charged up laptop even work? If the power's out, would there be wireless internet service? I honestly don't know. I'm kind of counting on my cell phone if the power goes out, but I'm so technologically ignorant, I'm not even sure if that's valid.
I'm glad I _do_ have battery radios, and even a wind-up radio in case it takes so long to get the power back on that I run out of batteries (ain't it great I use rechargeable batteries! they're marvelous as long as there's power to recharge them with!).
Hoe DID people survive before computers?
December 10, 2007 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
traceygraham, if you have a bundle package and/or a separate Internet line, the electicity doesn't effect it. For example, my cable, phone & internet are a bundle pack. If we lose electricity, I still have my phone & internet but no TV because of electricity, not because the cable is out.
The only time I've lost my Internet connection was when my cable box was hit by lightning.
So, you should be fine if you lose power. Your cell has nothing to do with electricity.
M
December 10, 2007 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
landofoz (anonymous) says...
Can they just move the lines underground instead of on poles then we wouldn't have all these problems with an ice storm? Plus it would make the community look alot better without all of those ugly poles all over the place.
December 11, 2007 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DJrocksthemic (anonymous) says...
I think Westar did an excellent job last night, I watched a group of guys work in less than stable conditions to make sure those of us on the east side of town got our power back. Great job, Westar!
December 11, 2007 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )