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June 1, 2025 |

Summer Weather Safety Preparedness

As we turn the page to June and the severe weather season, our cooperative is prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store—and we encourage our members to do the same. Severe weather can strike quickly in rural areas, bringing high winds, lightning, and heavy rain that may damage power lines and equipment. Take a few minutes to prepare and learn how to react and respond to severe weather before it happens.

How to Prepare

·         Create an emergency kit that includes a few gallons of water, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies and prescriptions, moist towelettes, and non-perishable food. If you have pets, keeping a supply of pet food on hand might be a good idea.

·         Charge devices before storms arrive. As weather watches and warnings are posted, it might be a good idea to begin charging devices.

·         Have a battery-powered radio to stay informed when power is out. Many news stations and weather-related channels offer streaming of news and weather updates. Downloading a local news station app may serve as a valuable source of information when the power is out.

·         Report outages directly to the cooperative first by calling our office. Do not report outages via our social media, as our accounts may not be monitored as frequently as our call center. Call 9-1-1 to report any outages to first responders only if smoke, fire, or injury occurs.

·         Get real-time updates on outages in our service territory and across the state by accessing the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ statewide outage map at https://www.iowarec.org/outages

·         Follow our cooperative on social media or visit our website for the latest updates affecting our members. Stay weather aware by following your preferred news and weather stations.

How We Respond

When storms hit, our crews will be ready to make repairs as soon as outdoor conditions are safe. Our emergency response plan prioritizes safety while restoring power as quickly as possible.

As soon as it is safe to do so, we assess damage to power lines and substations that serve hundreds of members. Then, we repair main distribution lines that deliver electricity to neighborhoods. Finally, we restore service to individual homes.

Our lineworkers often brave challenging conditions—working through the night in rain-soaked fields or clearing fallen trees from remote areas—to restore your power.

Working Together

During widespread outages, patience is appreciated as we systematically restore service. Your timely outage reports help us pinpoint problem areas and respond more efficiently.

Remember: always stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately.

By preparing now, we can all weather summer storms more safely and comfortably. Our cooperative is committed to keeping the lights on and restoring power quickly when nature has other plans.

Stay safe!