Bowie-Cass Electric Cooperative (BCEC) is preparing for severe storms set to hit the utility service’s territory during the late evening of Thursday, January 11, and early morning of Friday, January 12, 2024. The cooperative is also monitoring predicted conditions for a winter storm that is set to impact the service territory January 13-15, 2024.
In anticipation of these weather events, BCEC has been preparing materials and equipment, coordinating personnel, and other preparations to ensure service restoration is completed as quickly and safely as possible, should outages occur. BCEC is working diligently to minimize the chance of outages, but cooperative members are also encouraged to take the following steps to prepare in the event of an outage:
Assemble an “essentials kit,” including battery-operated flashlights and radios, blankets, ice packs, fully charged backup batteries, and fully charged devices such as laptops, tablets, or phones.
Keep a list of emergency phone numbers. Any member reliant on electricity-powered medical equipment should take steps to seek alternative shelter or a backup source of power as deemed necessary.
Fill spare containers with water for washing, and keep a supply of bottled drinking water on hand. Maintain a supply of nonperishable food items and a hand-operated can opener for canned food.
During an outage, switch off lights and appliances to prevent overloading circuits and damaging appliances when power is restored. Leave one lamp or switch on to signal when your power returns.
Stay away from downed power lines, and be aware that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard. Assume that any dangling wires encountered are electrical, and treat all downed or hanging power lines as if they are energized and dangerous. If you are driving and come upon a downed power line, stay in your vehicle, warn others to stay away, and contact emergency personnel immediately.
Report outages to BCEC by calling the outage hotline at (877) 707-2232 or reporting through the online Member Portal or mobile app.