How to Prepare for a Power Outage
We are sending our weekly newsletter early this week to give you a heads up that NV Energy has placed parts of the Tahoe Basin under a Public Safety Outage Management watch for this Saturday, September 12, as strong, dry winds are expected to increase wildfire risk across the area. We also included the outage preparation checklist from NV Energy at the end of this article.
If conditions develop as forecast, NV Energy could proactively shut off power beginning around 11:00 a.m. Saturday and last until 11:00 a.m. Sunday. Approximately 10,845 customers in the Tahoe Basin including Stateline, Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook and surrounding areas are currently within the watch zone while crews inspect lines and equipment before re-energizing the system.
For those of us who live here, planned outages during fire season have become more familiar over the past several years. But they can be especially important for second-home owners who may be hundreds of miles away when the power goes out.
A Public Safety Outage Management event, referred to as a PSOM, is a preventative measure used during periods of elevated wildfire danger.
When strong winds, dry vegetation and low humidity combine, damaged electrical equipment or vegetation contacting a power line there is a high potential of igniting a fire. NV Energy describes a PSOM as a measure of last resort, used when weather and fire conditions create a significant enough safety risk that temporarily de-energizing electrical circuits is considered the safer option.
The decision isn't based on wind speed alone. NV Energy evaluates weather forecasts, vegetation conditions, conditions observed in the field and information from fire agencies before determining whether an outage is necessary. The current watch does not mean the power definitely will be shut off Saturday. It means we as homeowners should be prepared for the possibility.
An outage is inconvenient when you're home but it can create a completely different set of problems when your Tahoe property is vacant.
Most homes depend on electricity for internet-connected security cameras, thermostats, garage doors, refrigerators, freezers, irrigation controls and alarm systems. If your Tahoe home is on a well, loss of electricity can also mean loss of your water pump unless you have backup power.
It's worth taking a few minutes before this weekend to think through what depends on electricity at your property or possibly helping out a family member or neighbor.
First, make sure NV Energy has your current phone number and email address so you receive outage notifications and updates. (NV Energy Contact Information - Select Northern Nevada)
If you have remotely monitored cameras, alarms or thermostats, remember that many systems will stop communicating once the home's internet equipment loses power. A battery backup for your modem, router or security equipment can help during shorter outages, although it won't necessarily keep a system online through a prolonged outage.
Garage doors are another easy one to overlook. Most electric garage-door openers have a manual release, but homeowners should know how to operate it before an outage rather than trying to figure it out when the power is already off.
Refrigerators and freezers are generally fine through shorter outages as long as the doors remain closed, but a longer outage at an unattended home is worth considering, particularly if you keep a second refrigerator or freezer in the garage.
If you use a generator, this is also the time to make sure it is operational, properly maintained and safely installed. Portable generators should never be operated inside a home, garage or other enclosed area because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
And if anyone in the household relies on electrically powered medical equipment, backup power and an emergency plan are especially important.
One part of a PSOM that sometimes surprises people is that improving weather doesn't necessarily mean the electricity comes back on immediately.
Once hazardous conditions have passed, utility crews generally need to inspect affected electrical lines and equipment for damage before power can safely be restored. That inspection process is why NV Energy is currently warning that an outage beginning Saturday might continue into Sunday.
The larger issue behind all of this is fire danger. September can feel like the beginning of fall in Tahoe, but fire season is far from over, especially with the extreme heat and lack of snow we had this year. Dry vegetation and strong winds create dangerous conditions quickly, even when temperatures have started to cool.
Second-home owners should know which systems in their property depend on electricity, make sure NV Energy has current contact information, and have someone local who can check your property if needed. Reach out if you need contact information. I’ll also include some emergency numbers below.
The current PSOM watch does not mean an outage will happen, but homeowners on the East Shore should be aware of the possibility and plan for it.
Nevada Energy Preparation Recommendations
Outage Preparation:
Prepare a waterproof outage kit with items for emergency situations.
In addition to storing the items below, make sure your mobile phone number is listed on your NV Energy account. Then, sign up for outage alerts through MyAccount to receive updates to your mobile phone in the event of an outage.
Bottled water – Most emergency preparedness experts recommend having a three-day supply on hand. Plan for one gallon per person, per day.
Ready-to-eat foods and a manual can opener
Flashlight – Do not use candles during a power outage or other emergency. Camp lights and lanterns may be useful, but do not use kerosene lanterns indoors unless you have proper ventilation.
Battery-operated radio and clock
Blankets
First-aid kit
Extra batteries
Protect your computer and other electronics.
Save your files regularly when working on your computer, and consider a surge protector for your computer, TV, DVR and other electronics. Don’t confuse a power strip with a surge protector. A surge protector will protect your electronics from power surges associated with power disturbances.
You might also consider an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which is a battery backup system that supplies power for 15 minutes – long enough to save your work and shut down the computer. If you use a UPS battery backup, make sure it is safety-certified.
If you own a portable generator, review its safety guidelines.
Learn how to open your garage door manually.
Build and maintain contact lists and social networks so you can stay informed and communicate with friends and family.
During an Outage:
Check to see if power is out throughout your home or business.
If power is only out in one part of the property, check your circuit breaker box for a tripped switch, or check your fuse box for a blown fuse.
Our outage center and outage alerts are your best source for up-to-date information.
Through the outage center, we’ll keep you updated on the outage cause, number of outages, number of customers impacted, estimated time of restoration, and crew status. Visit MyAccount to sign up for personalized alerts direct to your mobile phone.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to ensure food stays as fresh as possible.
To avoid losing the cold air, don’t open doors unnecessarily. If your freezer is full, food will stay frozen for about two days. If it is less than half full, food will stay frozen for about one day. Cover the freezer with blankets, quilts or sleeping bags to provide further insulation and help food stay frozen longer.
After power is restored, check all frozen foods to determine the extent of thawing.
Dispose of any food that is discolored or smells spoiled. Meat and fish spoil quickly at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Other quick-spoiling foods include milk, custards, creamed foods and any foods containing mayonnaise or eggs. Cooked and cured meat will keep for several days in a closed refrigerator. Remember: If in doubt, throw it out.
Additional outage tips
Turn off or disconnect any appliances or electronics you were using when the power went out. Unplug your computer to avoid the possibility of surge damage when the power returns. Find other tips to protect your computer and electronics prior to an outage in the section above.
Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when your power returns.
NV Energy Residential Customer Service: Available 24/7
Phone: (775) 834-4444
Email: [email protected]
Outages & Emergencies
(775) 834-4100
IMPORTANT: For Sparking Power Lines | Call 911 before calling NV Energy's emergency line.
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