Email Archives

Subject: BCA Alert: Storm Preparations
Date Sent: October 28, 2012

The following is some information about preparing for a hurricanes and other storms that you may find useful.

Important Utility Numbers:

Pepco: 1-877-737-2662
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E): 1-877-778-2222 or 1-800-685-0123
Potomac Edison (Allegheny Power): 1-800-255-3443
Washington Gas: 800-752-7520
WSSC: 1-800-828-4002
For downed trees on public property, call 3-1-1 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays (or 240-777-0311 from outside the County or from a cell phone) or go to http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311 at any time to report the problem.
If live wires are involved, the tree is blocking a roadway, the tree is on a structure, or if persons are trapped under the fallen tree, call 9-1-1.
For non-emergency police assistance, call the police non-emergency number, 301-279-8000.
Please contact your block captain to receive and share information during this event. See http://bannockburncitizens.org/

Before a Storm

Have enough cash for a few days – ATM's may not work during power outages.
Make sure vehicle gas tanks have sufficient fuel.
Secure or bring inside exterior items that might become windborne, such as lawn furniture.
Obtain needed prescriptions and medical supplies.
Keep flashlights and battery-powered radios with extra batteries on hand, along with a basic first aid kit, and a non-electric can opener.
Have enough non-perishable food and water for 72 hours.
Listen to the radio or television for hurricane progress reports.
Clean and remove leaves from storm drain inlets and catch basins in front of your home.
Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting in anticipation of a power outage. Open the doors only when necessary and close quickly.
Local officials advise residents not to put their leaves by the street as usual before the storm because piles of leaves can clog storm sewers and lead to flooding.

During a Storm

Avoid using candles for lighting. Use a battery-powered flashlight.
Never use a candle when fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern, since the candle flame can ignite fumes from the fuel.
Stay in an interior room or away from windows.
Remain calm and do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.
If flooding occurs, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
During a power outage, turn off major appliances. This avoid a power surge and protect the equipment when power returns.
Do not go outside. Flying debris from high winds is a danger.

After a Storm

Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind. Stay away from puddles with wires in or near them. Do not touch trees or other objects in contact with power lines.
Limit your use of phones. Call 911 only for life-threatening situations.
Call police or your utility companies immediately to report hazards such as downed power lines, broken gas or water mains or overturned gas tanks.
Avoid areas subject to flooding, including low spots, canals and streams. Do not attempt to drive on a flooded road –you can be stranded or trapped.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers, downed wires and other hazards.
For trees that have fallen on private property, the County's Office of Consumer Protection advises homeowners to deal with established businesses only, and to call Consumer Protection first to check a business' complaint record. Consumer Protection can be reached at 240-777-3636.
If case of a power outage, take steps to ensure that food left in the refrigerator and freezer is safe. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. A refrigerator will only keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. Food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, soft cheeses, butter, leftover cooked meats, casseroles and pizza should be discarded if they have been above 40° F for over two hours. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. To be sure a particular food is cold enough; take its temperature with a food thermometer. Never taste food to determine its safety.
Do not operate charcoal grills, propane camping stoves or generators indoors.

Let's hope that the storm is not as bad as predicted. Montgomery County has scheduled leaf collection to begin on November 5th and has detailed information about collection dates and how to pile leaves online at: http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/hwytmpl.asp?url=/content/dot/highway/vacuum.asp.

Best wishes,
Ted Garrett, President
Bannockburn Citizens Association