Your power outage guide for Whatcom County. Here’s what to do if lights go out
If your power goes out in your Whatcom County home, do you know who to call and where to go to find out when you’ll be getting it back?
The Bellingham Herald has put together a power outage guide for you, for the next time you lose power:
What to do before a power outage
The city of Bellingham recommends doing a few things in case of a power outage:
▪ Consider buying a generator to power your home when the power goes out.
▪ Pack a disaster preparedness kit that includes light sticks, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, flashlights and a clock.
▪ Consider buying an alternative heat source that does not require power, such as a propane heater or pellet stove.
▪ Have a corded telephone or landline that does not require electricity in case you cannot charge your cell phone.
▪ Know how to open your electric garage door without power.
▪ Register any medical and life-sustaining equipment with your utility company.
As cold weather comes along, the city of Bellingham also urges extra caution for citizens to prepare for power outages by:
▪ Have a supply of nonperishable foods you can eat without power, such as stews, soups, canned beans and meats, spaghetti, cereal, bread and freeze-dried meals.
▪ Have a supply of extra medications, first aid supplies and baby items.
▪ Have cold-weather clothing for all members of your family, such as jackets, hats and gloves.
▪ Inspect our chimney to make sure it will draft effectively.
What to do during a power outage
During a power outage, reports can be made to Puget Sound Energy. The PSE outage map shows live updates on how power outages are being handled and repaired.
Washington state’s Department of Health also has tips on what to do during a power outage:
▪ Switch off lights and electrical appliances, except for your freezer and refrigerator while the power is out. Leave one lamp plugged in to know when the power is restored.
▪ Unplug computers and other equipment that may surge when power is restored.
▪ Conserve water, especially if your home uses a well.
▪ Use flashlights and glow sticks for lighting instead of candles to avoid starting a fire.
▪ Do not use gas ovens, kerosene heaters, stoves, barbecues, gas lanterns or portable or propane heaters to stay warm. These heaters can create carbon monoxide and toxic fumes if they are not ventilated enough.
▪ Stay away from any fallen power lines or trees.
If the power is restored, the health department also warns to wait to turn on appliances for 15 minutes to avoid a potential power surge.
The city of Bellingham also advises residents to take care of their food during power outages with a few tips:
▪ Eat your most perishable foods first and keep your freezers and refrigerators closed to keep them cool.
▪ Pack an ice chest with ice or snow to keep food cold. Dry ice can save frozen foods, and blocks or bags of ice can save refrigerated foods.
▪ If you are not sure if the food is still good, do not eat it. Throw out any meat, dairy products, seafood and cooked food that no longer feels cold.
When will my power turn back on?
Whatcom County residents can check Puget Sound Energy’s power outage map to see live updates of where power outages are, if they are being fixed and when power may be restored.
Washington state’s Department of Commerce also has a state energy outage map to see outage causes and estimated restoration time.
This story was originally published November 14, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
