STORM CENTER

The Hurricane Season usually runs from June 1 through November 30 for the Atlantic States. Please take precautionary steps to help ensure your health and safety in the event of a storm. Review your family's emegency plan to make sure it is up to date - include a family emergency meeting point in case your home is not accessible, the County's evacuation plan and where to relocate your pets.

Emergency Hotline: 516-378-0146

Storm Preparedness Guide

Flood Information

• "Electrical current can travel through water":
Electrocution is number 2 flood killer after drowning. Report downed power lines to Freeport Electric Department @ 516-378- 0146.Under Freeport Electric power restoration plan priorities are given to wires down and people in the area, no power, half power, flickering lights and finally a street lights issues. Please note that if the power outage is caused by damage between the line to the home and the service installation, the costumer must call licensed electrician to repair the damage before the line crew can restore the power.

Preparation for Storm

• "Be Prepared For When the Power Goes Out":
Following a storm, you wont't have time to search for supplies or to buy them locally. Make sure your storm needs are assembled and stored where they can be accessed by all family members. At least once every six months, take an inventory of the articles stored and replace any items required.

BEFORE THE STORM NEEDS:
• A copy of your Freeport Electric Bill
• Keep your car's gas tank more than 1/2 full
• Cash on hand in small denominations
• 2 cases of bottled water (24 bottles each)
• Fill 5 gallon containers with tap water
• New batteries and your AM portable radio
• Have candles and safety matches
• Have non perishable food available for at least one week for each family member
• A non electric can opener
• Paper plates, napkins, and towels
• Several large empty garbage bags
• Baby needs such as formula, diapers, etc.
• A First Aid Kit
• A one week medication supply
• Don't forget Rover - get additional pet food
• Clean clothing in a large plastic bag
• Pack some books and games
• Have lanterns and fuel
• Toiletries are a must
• Blankets and sleeping bags
• Secure outdoor furniture
• A fire extinguisher
• Flashlights and fresh batteries
• An emergency family evacuation plan
• Trim any bushes or shrubs near your house
• Trim trees near your house

During the Storm

• Keep TV's and Radios tuned to news stations with the latest storm developments
• Stay away from windows, sliding glass doors, and under skylights

• Should you have an electrical outage:

• Don't open the refrigerator. Groceries can last 12 to 24 hours during an outage without spoilage
• Stay in the house. Do not go outside to investigate the outage
• Use camper type kerosene lamps to provide for light
• Avoid using candles and open flames unless absolutely necessary. Proceed with maximum caution
• Turn off appliances to prevent a "surge" when the power is returned
• Never use the stove or oven as a heat source
• Keep your portable battery operated TV's and Radios turned to emergency channels
• Close all curtains and window blinds
• Use your cell phone for emergencies. Avoid using your "regular" telephone
• Pass the hours by reading or playing board games with your children
• If the storm intensifies and damages your home, seek refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level
• Avoid carbon monoxide hazards. DO NOT run generators, grills, or other gas operated portable appliances indoors
• If you need to evacuate, follow instructions of local officials. Take all your packed items and pets in your automobile
• Make arrangements with others for your pets
• Wear weather protected clothing
• Take your emergency supplies with you
• Shut off your gas and electric utilities if advised to do so by local officials
• Lock your house
• Let others know when you're leaving and where you are going

After the Storm

• If power has not been restored within 24 hours, the contents of the refrigerator may begin to spoil. Discard spoiled foodstuff
• Whether you are sustaining an electrical outage or not, stay in the house until advised that it is safe to go outside • If at any time there is the distinctive odor of gas in the home, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY and call National Grid (1- 800-490-0045) from outside the house
• When it's safe to go outside, be aware there may be wires down. DO NOT TOUCH OR ATTEMPT TO MOVE ANY WIRE as it may have become energized. Report wires down to Freeport Electric at 516-378-0146
• Run portable generators outside
• Before calling Freeport Electric to report an outage, do the following:
• Check your fuses or circuit breakers in your electric panel.
• Check your meter and service entrance wires on the outside of the house. If pulled off the house or if damaged, call an electrician to repair and call the Freeport Electric emergency number at 516- 378-0146 and report your information
• If your home looks "unstable" due to major damage (such as a tree falling through the roof), evacuate the home
• Contact your insurance company for any damage claim
• Make sure water is safe to drink before using the public water supply system
• If so warranted, boil water before drinking or use in cooking
• After Electricity has been restored, do not use any appliance that has been wet or damaged until checked by a licensed electrician
• What's Yours, What's Ours...

• THE FREEPORT ELECTRIC RESTORATION TEAM
When a storm hits, our entire workforce shifts into their job... system restoration. Each of our employees is specially trained to respond to outages and restoring electricity to our customers rapidly and safely.
Our operators will handle your calls and will log your outage and will furnish you with the latest information available for getting your power reestablished.
Please be patiant. We are working hard to get the lights back on safely and quickly.

• FREEPORT ELECTRIC'S RESTORATION PLAN
Priorities are given to critical customers such as hospitals, police stations, schools, facilities performing storm restoration, and homes with people having special needs requiring life support systems.
Damage restoration proceeds with restoring power to the greatest number of customers initially.
Transmission repairs are completed first as they affect all FE customers.
Substation restoration is 2nd in priority as this may reestablish electric service to a thousand or more customers.
Primary high voltage feeder repairs are completed taking into account fallen trees, wires down, and transformer repairs that can reenergize hundreds of customers.
Lateral lines are repaired next as they can restore a hundred or more customers.
Service connections are usually handled last as they restore only from one to four customers.

Safety

• "Backfeed": can occur if connection of power is done by unqulified person directly to a wall outlet. Consult a licensed electrician about proper conection to ensure your safety and the safety of the utility workers reparing power lines.
• Keep as cool as possible, drink liquids and wear loose fitting clothes.
• Watch out for heat stress, dizziness, nausea, dry skin
• Handle dry ice with gloves to prevent skin damage

Helpful Tips

Important Numbers

• Freeport Electric hotline: 516-378-0146

• American Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669)

• FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

• National Grid: 1-800-490-0045

Weather Web Sites