Colorado Springs, Colorado-In southern Colorado, the all-weather operation of power restoration has been going on for the third day. Colorado Springs Utilities reported that after reaching a peak of nearly 40,000 on Wednesday, there were still about 6,000 power outages on Friday night.
As of 8:30 am on Friday, Black Hills Energy still had 727 power outages, including 96 in Pueblo, 15 in Canon City, and 616 in Rocky Ford. During the peak of the storm on Wednesday, approximately 27,000 power outages were reported.
The Santa Isabel Power Association hopes to restore power to all affected areas by Friday night. As of Thursday, there were still about 300 outages.
Communications manager Paris Dougherty said in an email that there may still be a small number of isolated power outages in uninhabited areas with damage between service lines and utility equipment.
Charlie Cassidy, general manager of energy construction, operations and maintenance of Colorado Springs Utilities, told reporters on Friday afternoon that the work will take longer than expected. The new estimated date for full power recovery is now Sunday.
The estimated damage prepared by the utility provider found that about 50 utility poles in the city needed to be repaired or replaced. Each rod may take 6 to 8 hours to repair. This work takes longer because many damaged poles are covered with debris or fallen trees.
"When the staff shows up, it's not just about replacing transformers, installing new wires, or something like that," Cassidy said. "It first deals with issues such as removing structures from our infrastructure, dealing with trees on the line, dealing with fences and all the other debris you see nearby now."
Five other line workers from Colorado Public Service Company (Xcel Energy) and Fountain City are assisting Colorado Springs' power restoration work through a mutual aid agreement.
“As we manage this matter, we are actively looking for other resources to bring into the city, and we will continue to operate 24 hours a day until all citizens in our community are 100% restored,” Cassidy added.
Jennie Danfos-Furman lives in the Patty-Jewitt community. Her strength was restored on Friday morning.
"This is so exciting," she said. "You know, you are too accustomed to having power, yes, just figure out the logistics and even cook."
Furman said she was relieved that there was a gas stove and figured out how to ignite it without electricity. She said she relied on her friends to make the most of the power outage.
"When I do feel that I might be a little lonely or something, I call people and say I can go with you to buy some food or something."
The operator staff give priority to replacing the poles so that they can help the most customers in a repair. Cassidy said that about 500 power outages were individual, which means that the pace of repair work will slow down over the weekend.
"So, with 500 potential issues like this, we will have to get involved in these issues in order to recover these individual customers at the end of the day," he said.
Two electrical contacts have been reported. However, no casualties occurred.
The City of Colorado Springs will open an emergency shelter at Sunnyside Christian Church, 2025 N. Murray Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 at 6:30 pm on Friday.
The Westside Community Center will also be open until 8:00 PM on Friday, and on Saturday will be open again from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, providing people with a place where they can leave the cold house for a few hours and recharge their mobile phones .
They are located at 1628 W. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
What to do if the power is out for a long time
Although inconvenient, most power outages will not leave you in the dark for long periods of time. However, when a storm comes and there is a power outage for hours or even days, a prolonged power outage will cause some major challenges and even safety issues.
Here are six strategies to help you prepare for prolonged power outages and endure safely.
Although inconvenient, most power outages will not leave you in the dark for long periods of time. However, when a storm comes and there is a power outage for hours or even days, a prolonged power outage will cause some major challenges and even safety issues.
Here are six expert-approved strategies to help you prepare for prolonged power outages and endure safely.
To be prepared, consider purchasing a portable battery charging set for your phone.
Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed
According to FoodSafety.gov, your refrigerator can keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage, while your freezer can keep up to 48 hours. During a power outage, please close the refrigerator and freezer doors to prevent cold air from escaping.
If the power goes out for more than four hours, you will need to discard perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers. According to consumer reports, even after the four-hour window, food can stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for another two hours before cooking becomes unsafe. (This is a chart to help you identify which foods need to be thrown away and which foods can be kept after a power outage).
The Red Cross recommends keeping a digital quick-response thermometer to check the temperature of food to determine if they remain cool enough during a power outage. In addition, a cooler filled with ice cubes (even cheap Styrofoam) can help you keep your food cold during long power outages.
Know how to store your medicines
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that it is important to discuss power outage plans for electric medical equipment and refrigerated medicines with your healthcare provider before a natural disaster occurs.
Know how long your medicines can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance on any medicines that are vital to life. Health officials say that water, heat and humidity are all factors that can change the efficacy of drugs.
If you have a generator, please use it safely
Health and safety experts warn that improper operation of the generator can be fatal. These portable machines emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. They are called "invisible killers" because they are colorless, tasteless, and tasteless. In fact, according to data from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 150 people in the United States die each year from accidental non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning related to consumer products, including generators.
Consumer Reports warns that you should never operate a portable generator in your home or garage. Instead, stay as far away from the house as possible—at least 20 feet, FEMA recommends. Direct exhaust air away from doors or windows.
If you have a generator, FEMA recommends installing carbon monoxide alarms at the center of each floor outside your home and bedroom. In this way, if carbon monoxide starts to accumulate, you will receive an early warning.
When power is restored, it may experience transient surges or spikes that can cause electrical damage. For this reason, FEMA recommends that it is best to check your home and turn off or disconnect electrical appliances, equipment, and electronic devices. The Red Cross does recommend turning on a light so you know when to restore power.
If you feel comfortable, another option is to turn off the main circuit breaker. In addition, security experts from the Red Cross recommend using a flashlight as a light source instead of a candle, because the candle may tilt and cause a fire.
The emergency planner recommends a home evacuation plan that includes your pet. The Red Cross provides templates that can be used to create these types of plans, including providing meeting places when family members are separated, and assembling emergency preparedness kits during prolonged power outages.
Consumer Reports also recommends that, if possible, check with your neighbors. Elderly neighbors may have trouble navigating in their homes in extreme temperatures or without lights.
Having a plan and understanding the safety protocols for power outages can help reduce the stress of prolonged power outages in your area.