Edison Electric Institute News Release:

PREPARE NOW FOR SEVERE STORMS

6/12/2013

With severe weather in the forecast for parts of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) wants to remind you to prepare now for storms and other emergency situations. Taking simple steps to get ready for emergencies in your home, business, and community can pay great dividends if, and when, an emergency actually occurs.

What you can do now:

• Develop an emergency plan that addresses any special medical needs you or your family members have. Call your local emergency management office to discuss necessary arrangements.
• Have your Emergency Outage Kit stocked and readily available.
• Know all evacuation routes if you live close to the coast.
• Pay attention to local weather reports on the radio, television, or Internet.
• Stock up on non-perishable food, water, medications, and any other necessities to avoid the need for travel during the storm. If called to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Learn what to do in case of a power outage.

If a severe storm does hit your area:

• Stay in a secure room and away from windows. Remain indoors.
• Monitor weather bulletins on a battery-powered radio.
• If your power goes out, report your outage immediately to your local electric company. Don’t rely on your neighbors to report your outage.

Severe Weather and Reliability
In addition to customer safety, the electric power industry’s top priority is to provide a reliable supply of on-demand power. Discover how the industry responds to outages caused by severe weather:

• Review the power restoration process.
• Learn aboutthe industry’s Mutual Assistance Network.

Don’t forget to visit your local electric company’s Web site for the latest updates and guidance on how to prepare for storms.