The month of September is National Preparedness Month. It’s a good time to organize an emergency plan together with your family, says Ruth Comer with Mid-American Energy, as an emergency can be stressful, but it’s made easier if you already have essentials assembled in one place.
Keeping a half tank of gas in your vehicle is also a good idea as many gas pumps are run with electricity and won’t work during a power outage. She stresses one of the most important things to do is to layout an emergency plan with your family.
Keeping an eye on the forecast is also advised as severe weather has the potential to bring with it widespread and long lasting power outages. Comer says if a family member is dependent on medical equipment it’s best to have an emergency back-up plan in place which they can help you put together.
For information packets call 888-427-5632. Another number to know, and keep in your contacts, is Mid-American’s power outage reporting line.
The number to call is 800-799-4443. An outage can also be reported via Mid-American’s website. Power outages are just one of many types of emergencies people should prepare for; though they are one of the most frequently experienced in Iowa. To find tips on how to prepare for other natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, and ice storms visit www.ready.gov.
