Village of Point Venture

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Standard Operating Procedures

Dealing with Power Outages

 

By Gary W. Robertson, PV Emergency Management Coordinator

 

During July 2006, many Point Venture residents and visitors were adversely affected by two major power outages. Pedernales Electric (PEC) has informed the Village that they intend to begin a project this Fall to replace deficient underground wiring and transformers. However, this process may take an extended period of time to complete, possibly as long as two years. Until then, Point Venture residents will have some risk of experiencing additional major power outages.

 

If a “major” power outage (3 hours or longer) is experienced, ESD #1, the Sheriff’s Office, PEC, the Village, WCID, and POA(s) will initiate the following actions:

 

bulletESD #1 personnel will respond, extinguish any associated fires should they occur, and assess the situation. If possible, they will remain on-scene until PEC crews arrive and then assist PEC as permitted by ESD #1 departmental guidelines.

 

bulletThe Travis County Sheriff’s Department will be notified of the power outage. If deemed necessary by local officials, patrols may be requested for traffic control and/or the prevention of looting.

 

bulletEvery effort will be attempted to notify residents and visitors of the situation by telephone and/or door-to-door visits. As quickly as possible after the outage commences and until full power is restored, either the Security Guard or a volunteer will be stationed at the Club House to update residents about the on-going situation or a bulletin board with similar information will be placed and periodically updated at this location. These updates will be largely based on information provided by PEC. During the outage, residents are also encouraged to contact PEC for updated information.

 

bulletIf electricity is still available at a Village, POA, or WCID facility such as the Club House, it will be opened to residents and visitors who are without heat or air conditioning in their homes.

 

bulletDepending upon the estimated length of the power outage, emergency service organizations may be contacted to deliver ice, cold water, and food to a centralized location in Point Venture. The delivery of food and water to first responders and PEC crews may also be needed.

 

bulletIn an extreme situation when the power outage has affected all of Point Venture and may last for an extended time, arrangements may be made to use buses to evacuate interested residents to an appropriate facility in another local community.

To prepare for a major power outage, residents should consider the following actions and precautions:

 

bulletIn the highly unlikely event that the outage or later power restoration somehow causes a fire at your residence, immediately call 9-1-1 using a “corded” old style telephone or a cell phone. Implement your family’s emergency procedures for responding to a fire.

 

bulletIf you experience a power outage, first check to see if the problem is with your house’s fuses or circuit breakers. If the problem is not associated with your home’s fuse/circuit box, contact PEC at 1-888-554-4732. Give them your full name, address, and the fact that you live in Point Venture. PEC may have your records listed by lot number rather than street address. Please ask them to correct this information. Tell PEC when the outage began and whether your neighbors have electricity. This will help PEC track the extent of the outage.

 

bulletMost power outages can be fixed relatively quickly by PEC. If the PEC central office initially tells you that electricity should be restored in a couple of hours, please remember that this is an “average” response that is based on past experience and may not reflect how long it will actually take the problem to be resolved in Point Venture. PEC staff cannot make a realistic estimate as to how long electricity will be out until PEC crews arrive in Point Venture and fully assess the nature and extent of the damage. This “updated” estimate as to how long the power will be out will be reflected in any future calls to PEC. Be patient and courteous! PEC crews work very hard to get power restored as quickly as possible.

 

bulletIn some instances, power may be restored in stages as repairs are completed. Therefore, residents in one part of Point Venture may have their electricity restored quicker than another part of the community.

 

bulletDo not go to the scene of the outage. If you need current information about the situation, see the individual or bulletin board stationed at the Club House or other designated shelter. Information will be kept constantly updated by individuals knowledgeable about the repair work being performed.

 

bulletCertain telephones may not work if the power goes out. This includes the popular “cordless” telephones or those telephones that work through a cable service such as Vonage or Roadrunner. If you are using a telephone service provided by AT&T or SBC, simply plug an old style “corded” telephone directly into the wall plug – it should work since it is not dependent upon electricity. Cell phone should also work, assuming that the electrical outage has not adversely affected a nearby cell phone tower site.

 

bulletSewer grinders require electricity to work. To the extent possible, restrict the use of commodes and running water so that the sewer grinders will not overflow.
bulletTurn off all electrical appliances. To help preserve food items, leave the doors to your refrigerator and freezer tightly closed. Always store water in plastic containers in your refrigerator or freezer, allowing enough space for the freezing water to expand. The chilled or frozen water will keep perishables cold longer in the event of power interruptions.

 

bulletOpen the circuit breakers to major appliances (HVAC system, hot water heater, range, etc.) to turn them off. Once power is restored, avoid overloading by turning appliances back on in 15-minute intervals.

 

bulletSecurity and burglar alarms may not work during a power outage.

 

bulletKeep a supply of flashlights and batteries. They are much safer than candles.

 

bulletKeep a battery-powered radio and clock.

 

bulletProtect sensitive electronic equipment with surge protectors. If affordable, buy an UPS system for your computer so that it can be shut down safely if the power is interrupted. Make a practice of frequently backing up important computer files.

 

bulletResidents may wish to check with their homeowner insurance agents prior to any power outage to determine levels of coverage for damaged equipment and whether or not additional insurance is available or desirable.

 

bulletIf continuous electric service is required, consider buying a suitably sized generator. Never operate a generator indoors!

 

bulletIf the weather is uncomfortable (hot or very cold), you may wish to leave your home in Point Venture and temporarily stay elsewhere in a motel/hotel or with friends or relatives. This should seriously be considered if you or family members are very young, elderly, or ill.

 

bulletPlease feel free to use a facility like the Club House or other designated shelter if it has been opened as a shelter during a power outage. If families or individuals stay overnight at the Club House or other designated shelter, they must provide their own beddings.

 

bulletIf you must leave pets unattended for an extended period of time during an outage, please remember to provide them with adequate food, water, and shelter.

 

bulletPlease look out for the welfare of your neighbors during an extended power outage, especially those who are elderly or ill.