Winter weather preparedness: Have a plan

Ponca City’s Emergency Management Director Paula Cain has shared information for getting through this weekend’s ice storm, as well as future winter storms.

Have A Plan

• Discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued.
• Ensure your family knows meeting places and phone numbers of other family members in case they are separated when a winter storm hits.
• Know what to do if basic services such as water, gas, electricity or telephones are cut off for an extended period of time.
• Understand the hazards of wind chill. Cold temperatures are even more dangerous, and potentially deadly, when combined with strong winds. The lower the temperature and stronger the wind, the more at risk you are.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly. Make sure they are prepared.
• Plan to bring pets inside during winter weather. Move livestock to sheltered areas with non-­frozen drinking water.
• Install and check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Let faucets drip to avoid freezing and know how to shut off water valves if necessary.
• Have an alternate heating method such as fireplace or wood or coal burning stove. Always be cautious using a portable space heater.
• Have your car winterized before winter storm season. Keep your gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated. If necessary insulate walls and attic. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of old newspapers. Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.
• Never heat a home with an oven if the electricity goes out.

Make A Kit

• Windshield scraper, de-icer, snow shovel and small broom for ice and snow removal.
• A cell phone with charger and a battery powered radio.
• Several blankets or sleeping bags.
• Mittens, they are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.
• Rain gear, warm coats and extra sets of dry clothing, mittens, socks and a cap.
• Non-perishable snacks like dried fruit, nuts and other high energy “munchies.”
• Several bottles of water. Eating snow will lower your body temperature. If necessary, melt it first.
• Sand or cat litter for generating traction under wheels and a set of tire chains or traction mats.
• Jumper cables, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit and brightly colored cloth to tie to antenna if you get stranded.

Stay Informed

• Know what National Weather Service winter storm and blizzard watches and warnings mean.
• A winter storm watch is a message indicating a winter storm is possible in your area.
• A winter storm warning indicates a winter storm is occurring winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area and could threaten life and property.
• A winter weather advisory means winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially to motorists.
• A frost/freeze warning means below freezing temperatures are expected.
• Ice storms usually bring heavy accumulations of ice that can bring down trees, electrical wires, telephone poles and lines, and communication towers. Communications and power can be disrupted for days while the utility company works to repair the extensive damage.
• A blizzard warning means sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater and considerable falling or blowing snow is expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.
• Depend on your NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, along with local radio and television stations, for weather reports.

Be Cautious with Alternative Heat Sources

• Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. They produce carbon monoxide which is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that kills more than 500 people every year. Use extra caution when using space heaters.
• Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented.
• Do not place a space heater within 3 feet of anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding, and never cover your space heater.
• Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
• Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
• Do keep a multipurpose fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergency.
• Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning by installing a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector and never using generators, grills, camp stoves or similar devices indoors.

Is Your Phone Number Registered for Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

Ponca City Energy has activated the Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) during large outages, nights and weekends. This is the automated system used to answer the phones more effectively and efficiently.  However, for the system to be the most effective, it requires a phone number tied to your Utility Account.  Please call PCUA at 767-0311 to confirm your current phone number is on your account.

To Report an Electric Outage, call 767-0405

Please only call 911 for Emergencies. To report an electric outage, call 767-0405.

Ponca City Energy utilizes an Interactive Voice Response system to answer the phones more effectively and efficiently.  Please stay on the line and answer all of the voice prompts until the call is successfully completed.  At the end of the call, it will provide you with an option for Ponca City Energy to call you back to confirm that your service has been restored.

Weatherhead (Meter and Service) Damage Repairs

Should your weatherhead (i.e. meter and service) be damaged and/or torn away from your home, you will need to have an electrician make these repairs before Ponca City Energy can restore power to your residence.  In case it’s needed, below is a list of licenses electrical contractors for your reference

ASAP ELECTRIC – Michael Richardson (580) 670-1311 – 1520 N Fourth St., Ponca City, OK 74601

BILL’S ELECTRIC –  Dane Owen  (580) 762-2540 – 1757 Harvest, Ponca City, OK 74604

BOIE’S ELECTRIC – Noble Boies (580) 765-5967 – PO Box 1242, Ponca City, OK 74601

BRYANT ELECTRIC – Bryant Hearon (580) 761-5942 – 111 Perch Lane, Ponca City, OK 74604

DAVID BOIES ELECTRIC – David Boies (580) 765-0963 – 245 N Glasgow Road, Ponca City, OK 74604

DAVID’S ELECTRICAL SERVICE –  David Heidlage (580) 716-3978 – 629 S. McCord Road, Ponca City, OK 74604

FLEHARTY ENGINEERING – Richard Fleharty (580) 362-2668 – No. 7 Diamond Blvd., Newkirk, OK 74647

HETRICK ELECTRIC, LLC –  Joseph Hetrick (405) 880-1347 -2506 S 29TH ST, Blackwell, OK 74631

HICKS ELECTRIC, LLC – Jason Hicks (580) 749-5541 – 3273 S. Seventh St., Ponca City, OK 74601

KING ELECTRIC – Paul King (405) 262.3446 – PO BOX 1367, Ponca City, OK 74602

KINGERY ELECTRIC – Joseph Kingery (580) 628-5000 – 400 S Second St., Ponca City, OK 74601

MCDONALD ELECTRIC – Junior McDonald (580) 762-6904 – 339 S Pine, Ponca City, OK 74601

PARTON ELECTIC – Randy Mooney  (580) 763-7429 – 422 N Ash St., Ponca City, OK 74601

SHOCKER ELECTRIC – David Hunt (580) 765-1930 – 610 E Detroit Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601

SNYDER ELECTRIC CO., INC –  Harold Younger (580) 762-1044  PO BOX 310, Ponca City, OK 74602

WELBORN ELECTRIC, INC – Richard Welborn (580) 765-2468 – 300 E Central, Ponca City, OK 74601

YOUNGER-HOLMES ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS INC. – Jerry Younger (580) 765-4383 – PO BOX 2030, Ponca City, OK 74602

For more information:

Website:  www.poncacityok.gov

Twitter:  twitter @PoncaCityOKgov

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