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The
Current
A Publication of Cotton Electric Cooperative Inc.
“The Current - Informing Our Members Since 1957” VOLUME 67
April 12, 2024
Safety tips for before, during and after the storm Storm season is potentially on its way. Many spring storms have the potential to produce tornadoes – they can happen anytime, anywhere, and can bring winds more than 200 miles per hour. As adults, we understand the importance of storm safety, but younger children and teens may not realize the dangers storms pose. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your family and have a storm plan in place. Here are a several tips you can share with your loved ones.
Before the storm
• Talk to your family about what to do in the event of a severe storm or tornado. Point out the safest location to shelter, like a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level of your home. Discuss the dangers of severe thunderstorms; lightning can strike 10 miles outside of a storm. Remember: when you hear thunder roar, head indoors. • Make a storm kit. It doesn’t have to be elaborate – having a few items on hand is better than nothing at all. Try to include items like water, nonperishable foods, a manual can opener, a first-aid kit, flashlights and extra batteries, prescriptions, baby supplies and pet supplies. Keep all the items in one place for easy access if the power goes out.
phone or weather radio – and understand the types of alerts. A thunderstorm or tornado watch means these events are possible and you should be prepared; a warning means a thunderstorm or tornado has been spotted in your area and it’s time to take action. • If you find yourself in the path of a tornado, head to your safe place to shelter, and protect yourself by covering your head with your arms or materials like blankets and pillows. • If you’re driving during a severe storm or tornado, do not try to outrun it. Pull over and cover your body with a coat or blanket if possible.
After the storm
• If the power is out, conserve your phone battery as much as possible, limiting calls and texts to let others know you are safe or for emergencies only. • Stay off the roads if trees, power lines or utility poles are down. Lines and equipment could still be energized, posing life-threatening risks to anyone who gets too close. • Wear appropriate gear if you’re cleaning up storm debris on your property. Thick-soled shoes, long pants and work gloves will help protect you from sharp or dangerous debris left behind. Spring and summer is a time for many fun-filled activities, but the season can also bring severe, dangerous weather. Talk to your loved ones During the storm about storm safety so that everyone is • Pay attention to local weather prepared and knows exactly what to alerts – either on the TV, your smart- do when a storm strikes.
NUMBER 8
IF THERE IS A DOWNED POWER LINE
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT
An overhead power line can become damaged or fall due to a severe storm, car accident, public damage or other reasons. If you see a downed power line, take these actions:
Other things to know Energized downed lines spread voltage through the ground or nearby objects.
Consider all power lines energized and deadly.
If you go near a downed line, you can become electricity’s path to ground.
Stay at least 50 feet away. Call 9-1-1 or the utility to report the downed line.
You cannot tell if a power line is live just by looking at it.
Do not approach it or try to move it with another object.
Even if a power line appears coated, it is never safe to go near it.
Do not get out of a vehicle or cab. Do not approach the scene.
While transmitting and distributing power is typically safe, extreme scenarios like downed power lines are extremely dangerous. Never approach a downed power line.
Warn others to stay away. Turn around and go another way. Even if you do not see a downed line, realize one could be hidden by storm debris, water, snow or ice.
Learn more at:
UTILITY WORK AHEAD Power Cost Adjustment Calculated The power cost adjustment now being applied to bills mailed after April 1, 2024, is $0.00607 per kilowatt hours (kWh). On a member’s average bill of 1,300 kWh, this will amount to a charge of $7.89 on the April bill.
March 2024 Temperature Extremes Day High Low Avg. 16 56 42 49 17 67 50 59 18 58 32 45 19 72 29 51 20 77 38 58 21 64 55 60 22 72 49 61 23 62 37 50 24 68 57 63 25 61 38 50 26 56 34 45 27 57 34 46 28 71 29 50 29 76 51 64 30 81 44 63 Source: srh.noaa.gov/oun/ 31 74 60 67 Average Daily High: 70 Average Daily Low: 42
Day High Low 1 66 32 2 82 32 3 84 36 4 80 54 5 68 47 6 71 44 7 77 57 8 57 38 9 58 32 10 65 27 11 72 32 12 80 42 13 85 48 14 84 53 15 62 42
Avg. 49 57 60 67 58 58 67 48 45 46 52 61 67 69 52
Did You Know? Cotton Electric Cooperative HVAC TuneUp rebate applications are open and must be received by June 30, 2024. Tune-ups must by completed between April 1 and June 20, 2024.
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 May 10, Broadway, Walters, OK 2024. 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.