What if the power stays out for a while?
February 9th, 2013 at 6:25 am by petemangione under Tony's Pinpoint Weather Blog
If you can read this blog right now, you either have power or you have some battery life left on your mobile device/computer. If you are stuck without power for a long period of time, here are some tips for keeping you and your family warm:
-If you have a generator, make sure you run it outside, then run a cord into the house. Running a generator inside can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. (Speaking of corbon moxide, make sure your detectors have working batteries. This INCLUDES hard wired detectors, they will need those back up batteries to work today.)
-If it is safe to do so, go to a friend of relative’s house who does have power.
-If you can’t make it to a someone’s home who has power, you can use fireplaces or wood burning stoves. HOWEVER, make sure the fireplaces are functioning properly and chimneys are clear. The LAST thing emergency crews need today is dealing with putting out fires.
-Dress in layers. This includes hats and gloves.
DO NOT use propane heaters or gas stoves for heat. There is not adequate ventilation to do this.
I will be back with more updates….stay safe!
-Pete Mangione
Any tips on how to keep pipes from freezing if you don’t have a generator and no fireplace? How long before that becomes an issue with the temperatures set to drop again tonight. I’m out of town so not in a cold house and with the storm have no way to get back any time soon. I also cannot reach anyone – phones also are out – to check on the house. The heat has been off now for 18 hours. Any ideas that you can share about how long it takes with these kinds of temps and wind chills for the temp to drop close to freezing inside the house? National Grid is useless and likely won’t get the power back on anytime soon.
Hi Anne,
Based on my own experience and the forecast for the next several days, here is what I can tell you (a few excellent articles on weather.com also helped me research this topic).
The good news is that temperatures dipping below freezing don’t necessarily freeze pipes. It usually takes temperatures much colder. Temperatures below 20° for an extended amount of time can freeze pipes, but pipes in northern climates can survive temperatures well below that level. This is because homes in northern climates are built to give pipes a better chance of making it through freezing weather.
Unfortunately tonight, the forecast takes us into the single digits and low teens. However, that’s no guarantee that your pipes will freeze. Sunday we get back into the upper 30s, and Monday into the 40s. Therefore, if your pipes can get through tonight you have a good chance of being OK.
If you have a friend or neighbor that can get into your home tonight, have them try letting the water drip a bit from a faucet. If the water does not come out, turn the faucet off and have them contact a plumber. If water DOES drip out, keep letting it drip as this may prevent freezing. It’s probably a good idea for you friend to keep an eye on things during this process.
I would like to acknowledge weather.com for a few very useful articles on pipes.
Good luck!
-Pete Mangione
Are highways open an if so are they ok to drive on