“There will be power outages,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference in Tallahassee on Sunday, while Tropical Storm Debby appeared to target the area. The storm is expected to rapidly strengthen into a hurricane on Sunday night and make landfall on Monday morning with maximum sustained winds between 74 and 95 mph, but there is potential for it to become even stronger in the warm waters of the Gulf. .
DeSantis said the state emergency department has identified up to 17,000 electricians who can help restore power immediately after the storm, and more are available if needed. Duke Energy Florida said Saturday it has mobilized more than 3,000 workers to respond to potential outages, including help from Kentucky and Ohio.
But crews won’t be deployed until it’s safe to do so, DeSantis said, and it’s possible residents could be without power for an extended period. More than half a million customers lost power in Florida when Hurricane Idalia followed a similar path last year.
“There will be power outages, so prepare for that,” said the governor.
See how to prepare, with tips from FEMA, Red Cross It is Pronto.gov.
Before the power goes out, have alternative energy sources ready
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Take inventory of everything you depend on that needs electricity – lighting, communication, medical devices, cooking – and obtain power sources such as batteries, portable chargers, power banks and solar chargers.
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Charge all phones and keep them charged as long as there is power.
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If you have a home phone, make sure it works during a power outage.
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Make sure each family member has a flashlight. Consider emergency flashlights that can be recharged manually. Avoid candles.
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Get a radio that can be manually recharged to monitor storm locations, alerts, and emergency information.
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Invest in a generator, but Use it outdoors ONLY and away from windows. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk with generator use. O Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a single gas-powered generator can generate up to 100 times more carbon monoxide gas than a car’s exhaust.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed, purchase non-perishable foods
A refrigerator will keep food cold for four hours after a power outage, according to FEMA, and a full freezer will maintain its temperature for about 48 hours. Avoid opening doors as much as possible to keep the air fresh.
“If in doubt, monitor the temperature with a thermometer and throw away food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher,” FEMA said on its website.
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Eat your fresh, perishable foods first. Use coolers with ice if available.
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Stock up on non-perishable food, at least for a few days, and water. Ideally, you should have food and water available for at least two weeks.
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Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows.
Live updates on Debby: Hurricane likely tonight, will hit Big Bend tomorrow
Prepare your home
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Unplug all appliances or electronics in your home, including Internet modems and TV cords. Power can come back in momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage. Use surge protectors for your appliances.
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Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups in your home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Do not turn off utilities unless you suspect damage or if local authorities ask you to do so. If you have a gas line, it can only be connected by a qualified professional.
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If any circuit breaker has tripped, contact an electrician to inspect it before turning it on.
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If you evacuate, turn off the electricity at the breaker box before leaving.
Plan your medical needs
If you require power for any medical needs, such as refrigerated devices or medications, make a power outage plan. Have alternative energy sources ready and check medications to see if they can be stored at higher temperatures.
If you have life-critical devices or medications, talk to your doctor for specific guidance and consider moving to a shelter or other place with power.
When the power goes out
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Report this to your local power company.
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If you see downed or damaged power lines, call 911 to report it, but stay at least 35 feet away from them and anything they are touching,
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Do not go into flooded areas as there may be downed power lines that you cannot see.
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Do not use any electrical or electronic equipment that has been submerged. Have a qualified electrical inspector check the electrical system.
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For families with kids, have some power-free activities ready to keep them (and you) busy. Tell stories, play games, sing songs. The National Child Stress Network have some suggestions.
Power Outage Tracker: Find out how widespread outages are at any given time
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Temporarily hold fresh air. Keep windows and doors closed and close curtains, blinds, and shades to keep light and heat out of the home. Close the hottest rooms in the house and stay on the lowest levels.
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When your home heats up, open doors and windows to create a cross breeze and keep airflow moving.
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Stay on the ground floor as much as possible.
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Roll up and remove rugs on hardwood or ceramic floors.
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Wet the curtains, wring them out so they are damp and open the windows. The outside air will cool as it passes through the damp fabric. You can also dampen a sheet or large bath towel and hang it in front of a window. Keep a spray bottle handy to spray the cloth again if it dries out.
When the power comes back
Throw away any refrigerated food, especially dairy and meat, that have been exposed to temperatures of 40 degrees or more for two hours or more. Also throw out anything with an unusual odor, color, or texture. If you’re not sure, throw it away.
If power is lost for more than a day, safely discard any medications that require refrigeration unless the medication label indicates otherwise. Contact your doctor for refills.
Be ready
O The Red Cross has a checklist to prepare for power outages.
This article originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Tropical Storm Debby: Power Outages Expected, DeSantis Says
