Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
MANASSAS, VA—The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative urges area residents to prepare now for possible hurricanes during Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 20-26, 2007. Hurricane season begins June 1. NOVEC and the National Hurricane Center recommend the following preparation measures:
Preparing for a Hurricane:
- Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
- Locate the safest areas in your home. If it is not safe, determine escape routes. Decide where to meet. Plan where you and your family can stay.
- Have an out-of-state friend as a single point of contact for all family members.
- Make a plan now for your pets if you need to evacuate.
- Have flashlights, battery-powered lanterns and other light sources ready.
- Have fresh and extra batteries on hand for flashlights and radio.
- Listen to weather forecasts for possible hurricanes.
- Use a NOAA weather radio or other battery-powered radio for information.
- Have enough medicine, first aid supplies and baby care items. If prescriptions are essential, get them refilled in case of an extended power outage or damage to your area. Click on the
- Have identification and documentation on hand: Social Security card; driver's license; birth certificate; and home, car, and life insurance information. Keep them and other important documents in a water-proof file box.
- Have a telephone on hand that does not depend on electricity to operate.
- Post NOVEC's telephone number—703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500--in an easy-to-find place in your home, such as on your refrigerator or near your telephone.
- Make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
- Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
During a Hurricane:
- Get inside a building and stay away from windows.
- Do not leave candles unattended--keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials.
- To preserve cold, open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary.
- Turn off heating and air conditioning systems and electric ranges.
- Unplug sensitive electronic equipment such as TVs,
After a Hurricane:
- If power lines and poles are down in your yard or street, stay away! They may be energized and dangerous. Even the ground around a fallen live line can become energized and dangerous. Notify NOVEC immediately.
- Storm debris can hide downed power lines. Live power lines in fallen trees can energize anything that comes in contact with the trees, such as metal fences, bicycles, or standing water. Stay away!
- If power is out, call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500. If you have access to a working computer, go to www.novec.com and click on the outage map for information.
- Never replace a fuse or reset a breaker with wet hands or while standing on a damp surface.
- If power is out and you use a portable generator, make sure to operate it only in a well-ventilated area. If you cook on a camp stove or charcoal grill, do so outside to avoid deadly carbon monoxide fumes.
