As Minnesotans prepare for extreme Midwestern weather during Severe Weather Awareness Week April 17-21, Great River Energy and its 27 member-owner cooperatives and customers are prepared to keep the power flowing to homes, farms, and businesses.
“Though most end-use members experience very little time without electricity, we do see an increase in disruption of electric service during severe weather,” said Mark Peterson, system operations manager for Great River Energy. “During severe weather, such as tornados, straight-line winds and hail, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, and stay away from downed powerlines.”
If you see a downed power line, there are a few things to keep in mind.
• Stay away from it and call 911 to report it immediately. There is no way to tell if a power line is energized just by looking at it. Always assume it can carry currents strong enough to kill.
• Never drive over a downed power line if it is blocking your driveway or road. Call 911 to report it and find another route.
• Never touch anything that is also touching a power line, including trees with limbs caught in a power line.
• If a power line falls on your car or otherwise contacts your vehicle, stay in your vehicle. Use your cell phone to call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
• If you must exit your vehicle (due to fire), jump clear of the vehicle without touching it. Land with your feet together and shuffle away.
When severe weather causes widespread damage, sometimes outages can be extended. Great River Energy and its 27 -member-owner cooperatives and customers work hard to restore power quickly and safely. The first focus is on removing any threats to public safety, then following established priorities for making repairs that will restore the most members first.
For more information and videos about how your power is restored, how to prepare an emergency kit, how to keep food fresh, and more, visit greatriverenergy.com/restoringyourpower.
About Great River Energy
Great River Energy is a not-for-profit wholesale electric power cooperative which provides electricity to 27 member-owner distribution cooperatives and customers. Together, our systems provide power to approximately two-thirds of Minnesota geographically, and parts of Wisconsin, serving 700,000 families, farms and businesses. Learn more at greatriverenergy.com.
Our 27 member-owner cooperatives
Agralite Electric Cooperative, Arrowhead Cooperative, BENCO Electric Cooperative, Brown County Rural Electric Association, Cooperative Light & Power, Crow Wing Power, Dakota Electric Association, East Central Energy, Federated Rural Electric Association, Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association, Itasca-
Mantrap Cooperative Electrical Association, Kandiyohi Power Cooperative, Lake Country Power, Lake Region Electric Cooperative, McLeod Cooperative Power Association, Meeker Cooperative, Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative, Nobles Cooperative Electric, North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Redwood Electric Cooperative, Runestone Electric Association, South Central Electric Association, Stearns Electric Association, Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative and Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association.