September marks National Preparedness Month, an opportunity for families to take proactive steps in safeguarding themselves against unpredictable weather events.
In a recent segment of Ways to Save, Mark Robinson, External Affairs Manager in Longview, Texas, emphasizes the importance of emergency preparedness and shares essential items to include in an emergency preparedness kit.
“It’s important to have a preparation plan; know how you’re going to communicate during a storm and what your evacuation route will be,” Robinson said.
In the event of severe weather, Robinson said the SWEPCO mobile app and the newly enhanced outage map are two SWEPCO tools that can be immensely helpful.
“The outage map shows you what areas are being affected and now includes a new weather overly function that displays real-time weather conditions alongside outage information,” Robinson said.
The map also features real-time status messages about outages, including any delays in updates. Users can track whether crews are enroute, assessing the situation, or actively restoring service.
Similarly, the SWEPCO mobile app enables you to report an outage and track restoration work at your home or business.
Ensuring you have an updated emergency preparedness kit is another crucial element to being storm ready.
Be ready to weather any storm by creating your own emergency preparedness kit:
- First Aid Kit and Medications: Ensure your kit is well-stocked with necessary medications for every family member.
- Flashlight and Fresh Batteries: Power outages can occur during storms, making a reliable flashlight and extra batteries essential.
- Candles, Matches, or Lighters: These items can provide light and warmth when needed.
- Water: Store enough water for drinking and cooking to last for several days.
- Supplies for Babies and Pets: Don’t forget to include necessities for the youngest and furriest members of your family.
- Mobile Charger: Keep a mobile charger handy to ensure your devices remain powered.
- Nonperishable Food and Manual Can Opener: Stock up on canned goods and ensure you have a manual can opener to access them.
For more detailed preparation tips for hurricanes and other severe storms, residents are encouraged to visit SWEPCO’s safety page.
Watch KTBS or visit KTBS.com/WaystoSave or SWEPCO's YouTube playlist to learn proven tips, incentives, and programs to help reduce energy consumption and save money.