Seattle City Light Encourages You to "Take Winter By Storm"

Seattle Light Lineworkers repair a streetlight that was damaged by a car during a winter snowstorm. Photo courtesy Seattle City Light

There’s no denying it. The days are getting shorter and winter weather will be here soon. Wind, rain, even some snow and ice are a part of living in the greater Seattle area.

Powerful storms can topple trees and take down power lines, make driving treacherous and create other hazards like falling ice. Staying safe starts with being prepared.

That’s why Seattle City Light invites you to “Take Winter By Storm.”

City Light is a proud partner in the Take Winter By Storm regional preparedness campaign, which provides guidance and information about the risks of winter weather and what you can do to be ready for it. When a community is well-prepared, emergency responders can focus their efforts on true emergencies because more people are able to take care of themselves until the situation returns to normal.

City Light crews work year-round to prepare for storms and outages.

Vegetation management teams provided clearances along more than 600 miles of power lines this year to reduce the risk of outages from trees coming into contact with the lines. Employees in every division of the utility participated in storm season planning and exercises to prepare for storm season. Lineworkers stock and re-stock their trucks with parts and tools.

“When the next storm hits, our team will be ready to respond,” General Manager and CEO Jorge Carrasco said. “But we need you, our customers, to be ready also. Join us in taking a few simple steps that can help keep you safe during a power outage or any emergency.”

• Remind friends and family to stay away from downed power lines.

• Create an emergency preparedness kit with at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water for your home and office. Kits prepared for vehicle road travel and winter weather evacuation go-kits are also advised.

• Make a plan and practice the plan with your family and those who depend on you.

• Stay informed and know the weather approaching so you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way.

If you’ve already taken those steps, we thank you. To maintain your preparedness and take the next step, review your plan and kit. Replace any outdated food or dead batteries and make any needed updates to your plans, including your out-of-area contacts.

Finally, check on a friend, neighbor or relative to see whether they are prepared and help them join you in preparing for winter weather.

With your help, when bad weather does arrive, we’ll ride it out safely, together.

Get safety tips, checklists and more for winter weather emergencies at the Take Winter By Storm website www. takewinterbystorm.org or call Seattle City Light at (206) 684-3000 for more information.