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During Storm Season, Stay Clear of Downed Power Lines

April 20, 2023

Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 17-21

During Minnesota’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 17-21, Stearns Electric Association and its wholesale power provider, Great River Energy (GRE), want to remind everyone of the seasonal threats from severe weather and assure you that we are prepared to keep the power flowing to homes, farms and businesses throughout any weather event.

“Though most of our member-consumers experience very few, if any, power outages annually, we see an increase in disruption of electric service for our members during severe weather,” explained Matt O’Shea, Stearns Electric CEO. “Strong winds, lightning and heavy rain can cause damage to our infrastructure or cause trees to fall onto the power lines.”

“During severe weather, such as tornados, straight-line winds and heavy rain, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and always stay away from downed power lines,” explained Glenn Blommel, Manager of Operations at Stearns Electric. “Unlike the movies, downed power lines that are energized don’t jump around and shoot sparks. There is no way to tell if a power line is energized just by looking at it. We want to ensure all our members and the public stay safe.”

If you see a downed or sagging power line, keep these things in mind:

  • Stay away from it and call 911 to report it immediately. There is no way to tell if a power line is energized just by looking at it. Always assume it can carry electricity currents strong enough to severely injure or kill you.
  • Never drive over a downed power line if it is blocking your driveway or road. Call 911 to report it and find another route.
  • Never touch anything that is also touching a power line, especially trees with limbs caught in a power line.
  • If a power line falls on your car or otherwise contacts your vehicle, stay inside your vehicle. Use your cell phone to call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
  • The only reason you need to exit your vehicle is if it is on fire, which rarely happens. If you must exit your vehicle due to a fire, jump clear of the vehicle without touching it. Land with your feet together and shuffle away.

When severe weather causes widespread damage, sometimes outage restoral times can be extended. Stearns Electric and GRE work hard to restore your power as efficiently and safely as possible. The first focus is on removing any threats to public safety. Next, line crews follow established priorities for making repairs that will restore the most members first.

For more information and videos about how your power is restored, how to prepare an emergency kit, how to keep food fresh and more, visit greatriverenergy.com/restoringyourpower.

Stearns Electric members can learn more about preparing for power outages, including reporting outages though our SmartHub mobile app or by text message, at https://www.stearnselectric.org/outage-center/prepare-for-power-outages/.

 

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