Preparing For Winter Power Outages

Every year, the north, midwest, and east regions in America face long winters that bring severe storms and blizzards. Although the north and midwest regions are safe from hurricanes, these winter storms can wreak just as much havoc.

According to weather.com, a recent study found that the number of blizzards in the US increased by almost a factor of four since the mid-20th century. Scientists have found that there is a strong link between warmer temperatures in the Arctic and unusually heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures further south according to Judah Cohen, a climatologist at Atmospheric and Environmental Research.

Due to climate change, winter storms pose a very serious threat. One of the major problems these storms create is widespread power outages. During severe winter storms, ice can build up on power lines. This added weight, paired with strong winds can cause these lines to snap. What’s worse? With icy roads, efforts to restore power are hindered. An entire region can be blacked out for days, sometimes even weeks. When this happens, the public’s safety and access to supplies become our primary concern.

Businesses that provide necessary supplies and emergency healthcare services need to be prepared and operational in order to serve the public when the power goes out. Businesses like grocery stores and gas stations need to be open and ready to provide supplies. Hospitals need to be functional to provide continual healthcare for those already there and for emergencies that happen during these storms.

Hypothermia is one such emergency. People in homes without power and heat could experience hypothermia. According to WebMD, an elderly person can develop hypothermia if they are left overnight in a house that is 60-degrees or less.  Infants and babies sleeping in cold bedrooms are also at risk. In such severe conditions, a multitude of emergencies can and will arise. Ensuring these facilities are prepared is the first and most crucial step to avoiding tragic consequences.

A standby generator is the first step to being prepared for a winter power outage. A standby generator with an automatic transfer switch is ready to operate 24/7.  Automatic transfer switches detect when the power goes out and automatically turn the generator on in as little as 10 seconds. After experiencing a power outage first hand, most business owners we speak to wish they had invested in a standby generator sooner. They tell us stories of lost inventory, lost business and the ordeal of getting things back to normal. Spare yourself that experience by preparing before it happens. Contact the generator experts at Total Energy Solutions to learn how we can help you be prepared for the next storm.