As we closely monitor the weather situation, DETEC is prepped and ready to respond. Despite all efforts and preventative measures, heavy snow and ice will cause outages. Please report outages and hazards to DETEC at 1-800-392-5986.  We know that being without power is an inconvenience and frigid temperatures make outages more difficult to endure.  We assure that our crews will always work as quickly as they safely can.  Please keep them in your prayers as they respond. Start now in preparing your home in the event that you loose power or the road is unsafe to travel for necessities.


  *   Disconnect appliances and electronics - As we restore power, large loads kicking on may cause surges or additional outages. Turn off your heating units and unplug electronics until the power is restored.

  *   Close freezers and refrigerators - The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
  *   Have a flashlight and batteries.

  *   Place generators 20 ft away from the house to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
  *   Monitor your local weather alerts and emergency updates.
  *   Stay off the roads, if possible.
  *   Stock supplies for your home and vehicle.
  *   Bring your pets inside.
  *   Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
More preparation tips can be found at: ready.gov/power-outages

Power lines can be affected in three ways (or a combination thereof); the weight of the ice, tree branches breaking and falling onto the line, or wind causing the lines to sway. Half an inch of ice can add as much as 500 pounds to a power line, and damage can begin when accumulations exceed a quarter of an inch. Additional weight can be applied if a tree branch breaks off and rests on it, increasing the potential for the power line to come down.  Strong winds can exacerbate the effect of ice on power lines. When winds reach 20-25 mph, the power lines begin swaying, increasing the force on lines. This motion can cause lines to either break or touch each other, resulting in a power outage.