OTEC encourages folks to be prepared for extended outages
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY – Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative are quick to get to work when the power goes out during winter storms. OTEC Communications Manager Joe Hathaway was on KJDY’s Coffee Time recently, urging listeners to be prepared for extended outages, should they happen this winter:
“In a winter storm emergency, restoring power and heat is our highest priority. Even so, it could take days to repair power, so, that’s we want to trry to make sure all of our member-owners are prepared for an extended outage.
You can run across some dangerous conditions such as downed power lines, and we really want to emphasize that if anybody sees downed power lines—please stay as far away as you can and to call us immediately.”
Joe also had advice for people who may use a generator as an alternate power source:
“If there is an extended outage and you do have a generator, please use it properly. One of the biggest rules is to never plug that generator into your home’s electrical system. That can cause back-feed which can be incredibly dangerous to any of our line crews or other utility crews.”
The 24-hour hotline to OTEC’s Outage Center is 866-430-4264. Hathaway suggested calling the local OTEC office if the outage or power-related emergency occurs during open daytime hours.
