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Current
A Publication of Cotton Electric Cooperative Inc.
“The Current - Informing Our Members Since 1957” VOLUME 66
April 10, 2023
NUMBER 8
Be prepared this spring when storms start brewing
S
to do before, during and after • Never seek shelter under a storm can help keep you safe. an isolated tree, tower or utility pole, since lightning tends When a storm hits to strike tall objects. When stormy winds blow, • Immediately vacate elefollow these weather-related vated areas such as hills and reminders from FEMA and mountain ridges and peaks. the Red Cross: • Get away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of waThe Steps to Restoring Power ter. When a major outage occurs, our crews restore service to the greatest number of people in the shortest time possible – until everyone has power. • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, in1. High-Voltage cluding wires and fences (and Transmission Lines golf clubs). Approximately These lines carry large amounts of electricity. 5 percent of annual lightThey rarely fail but must be repaired first. ning deaths and injuries in the United States happen on golf courses, according to the 2. Distribution Substations National Oceanic and AtmoCrews inspect substations, which can spheric Administration. serve hundreds or thousands of people. • Never lie flat on the ground. • Pick a safe place in your home, away from windows 3. Main Distribution Lines Main lines serve and doors, for family memessential facilities like hospitals and larger bers to gather during a thuncommunities. derstorm. • Know the difference between a watch and a warning 4. Individual Homes and Businesses for extreme weather such as After main line repairs are complete, we repair a tornado or severe thunderlines that serve individual homes and businesses. storm. A watch means that the weather is possible in
ometimes a storm pops up or changes direction without any warning, while other times it is forecast days in advance and follows its predicted course. In either case, knowing what
and near the area. A warning means that severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. A warning is more serious than a watch and means that there is imminent danger to life and property.
After the storm
Once the storm is over, follow these safety tips: • Never step into a flooded basement or other standing water. The water could be covering electrical outlets, appliances or cords. Never touch (or use) electrical appliances, cords, wires or switches while you are wet or standing in water. • After a storm, a downed power line could be covered by standing water or debris. Never go near a downed line and warn others to stay away. If you see a downed line, call 9-1-1, and a crew will be dispatched to de-energize the power and address the problem safely. • The same safety knowhow applies to a downed power line you might encounter
while driving or after an auto accident. In either case, do not get out. Instead, call 9-1-1 to report the downed line (pull over first if you are driving). If you must exit your vehicle after an accident because of a fire or smoke, make a solid, clean jump out, landing with both feet together. Then make solid hops with your feet together, hopping as far away as you can. • If your home has been damaged by a flood, turn off the power to your house if it is safe to do so. (Do not turn power off at the breaker box while standing in water or in damp conditions.) • If the wiring, electrical system or appliances have been damaged by water, have your home inspected by an electrician; also, have appliances serviced by a qualified technician before using them. For more information about electrical safety, visit www. cottonelectric.com/safety. Source: SafeElectricity
Work Zone Awareness Week sheds light on safety National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 17–21, 2023, is a good time to learn more about work zone safety. However, to help save lives, work zone safety should be observed 365 days a year. Cars or trucks that speed through a work zone not only endanger workers on the ground. Driving too fast or too close to a work truck can also put an elevated worker in danger by causing their raised bucket to move or sway. Streets and highways are lined with pow-
Power Cost Adjustment Calculated The power cost adjustment now being applied to bills mailed after April 1, 2023, is $0.01210 per kWh.
On a member’s average bill of 1,300 kilowatt hours (kWh), this will amount to a charge of $15.73 on the April bill.
er poles and electrical equipment, and narrow roadways often require crews like ours to place their equipment in or near traffic lanes. Be alert to utility and other work zone crews for their safety and yours. Besides our crews, you might encounter road workers, other utility crews, tree trimmers or first responders working in or on the side of the road. According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, 774 fatal crashes and 857 deaths occurred
in work zone crashes in 2020 (at the writing of this article, data was not available for 2021). Many other work zone crashes result in injuries. In 2020, 102,000 work zone crashes occurred. To help keep roadside crews safe: • Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers. • Be patient. Traffic delays are sometimes unavoidable, so allow time for unexpected setbacks. • Obey all signs and road crew instructions.
• Merge early and be courteous to other drivers. • Use your headlights at dusk and during inclement weather. • Minimize distractions. Avoid activities such as texting, operating a radio, applying makeup or eating. Remember, slow down when approaching a work zone and move over for first responders and work crews. Do your part to help everyone return home safely Cotton Electric crews place orange cones in the road at the end of the day. to keep employees and the public safe near work Source: SafeElectricity zones.
March 2023 Temperature Extremes
Did You Know?
Day High Low Avg. 16 75 39 57 17 54 32 43 18 53 28 41 19 52 25 39 20 60 33 47 21 78 49 64 22 83 58 71 23 69 52 61 24 69 45 57 25 73 37 55 26 65 41 53 27 63 36 50 28 59 37 48 29 68 35 52 30 68 52 60 Source: srh.noaa.gov/oun/ 31 77 46 62 Average Daily High: 66 Average Daily Low: 40
Cotton Electric HVAC tune-up rebate applications are open and must be received by June 30, 2023. Tune-ups must be completed between April 1 and June 20, 2023.
Day High Low 1 67 41 2 57 40 3 65 39 4 70 34 5 82 37 6 76 45 7 55 42 8 58 44 9 57 45 10 58 38 11 90 49 12 59 41 13 45 36 14 58 30 15 71 34
Avg. 54 49 52 52 60 61 49 51 51 48 70 50 41 44 53
Contact Us
Do you have a story idea for The Current or do you need to place an ad? If so, let us know. We can be reached at 580-875-3351 or by email at TheCurrent@ cottonelectric.com. You can also drop us The next issue of The a line at Cotton ElecCurrent should arrive tric Current, 226 N. in mailboxes on May 8, Broadway, Walters, OK 2023. 73572.
Mission Statement Our mission is to safely deliver reliable and affordable power, provide excellent member service, and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.