Friday, Sept. 3, 2004:

GreyStone prepares for Hurricane Frances 

n Co-op offers tips when preparing for potential storm damage

GreyStone Power employees are preparing for the possibility of Hurricane Frances as it makes its way toward the Cooperative’s service territory.  Although the storm projection path could change, co-op representatives say they will be prepared if the storm approaches.

"It's still too early to tell if Hurricane Frances will pose a threat to our area,” says Vicki Harshbarger, GreyStone Power’s Director of Communications. “We want our members to be assured that we’re prepared and ready to restore electric service to members in the event we’re affected by this storm.”

GreyStone has been monitoring weather conditions and has a variety of contingency plans to address problems associated with high winds and heavy rains should the area experience hurricane force weather. The Cooperative has mobilized employees and contract crews, prepared trucks with emergency equipment and procured necessary materials, should the hurricane and associated damage become severe. Additionally, electric cooperatives, which could be hardest hit, have called upon unaffected EMCs to provide help and support, should it be required.

According to Harshbarger, all of GreyStone’s departments are coordinating efforts and all vital personnel are on standby. GreyStone will continue to watch this storm closely and would like to remind its members to keep abreast of the storm’s development and take every precaution in the event this area does experience the effects of Hurricane Frances. In the meantime, GreyStone urges co-op members to consider these safety tips when a hurricane warning is issued:

• Make plans for action: The best way to cope with a hurricane is to always be prepared. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specified area in 24 hours or less. If a warning is given, stay tuned to radio or TV for official bulletins. Secure lawn furniture and other loose material outdoors. Consider filling the bathtub with several days supply of water. As with any major storm, try to have at least three days’ worth of food and water for each person in the house. Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent their lifting from their tracks. Check batteries in flashlights, stock up on canned foods and update your first aid kit. If the warning indicates destructive winds, consider securing windows with tape, plywood or shutters. Have a manual can-opener and know how to manually open your garage door.

• Freezers/refrigerators: First, open the freezer door as little as possible. With a freezer that’s full, foods can stay frozen up to 72 hours. A half-full freezer can still keep food frozen up to 24 hours after the power goes out. Should the power stay off for several days, dry ice can preserve the food in the freezer. If you have a picnic cooler, and time to make ice in your own refrigerator, fill the cooler before the storm hits.

• Be cautious: During high winds, electric lines can be torn down by limbs and trees. Any dangling line or lines on the ground can be deadly. All downed lines should be considered live. Call GreyStone’s office at 1-866-GREYSTONE (473-9786) to report a downed line, outage or any hazardous situation. GreyStone crews will be on the job 24 hours a day.

• Generator use: If you lose power, take the proper precautions when using a generator. Place the generator outside the home as CO fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.  Also, never connect generators to

another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or ‘backfeed’ can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Updates and more storm-related information may be found in GreyStone's Storm Center.