STORM PREP. At Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, we are prepared for storms. This handbook will help you prepare, too.

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1 STORM PREP H A N D B O O K At Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, we are prepared for storms. This handbook will help you prepare, too.

2 PREPARING FOR STORMS IS SOMETHING WE TAKE SERIOUSLY. WE PREPARE BEFORE A STORM BY: n Continually monitoring weather. n Scheduling additional staff and crews to work. n Working closely with emergency responders. n Activating emergency procedures including increasing stock of materials and euipment. n Annually performing reliability improvements, including right-of-way maintenance. THERE S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR BEING PREPARED. Keep this information with other essential storm-related items in your home. REPORT POWER OUTAGES. TOLL-FREE BY PHONE: (If you are aware of downed power lines let us know when you call.) ONLINE: FOLLOW THESE TIPS SO YOU CAN PREPARE BEFORE A STORM: Assemble an emergency storm kit containing: n Flashlights and fresh batteries. n Battery-powered radio or TV and extra batteries. n Land-line phone with cord (cordless phones reuire electricity). n Battery-powered or windup alarm clock. n Bottled water (one gallon per person per day). n Nonperishable foods. n Blankets, bedding or sleeping bags. n First-aid kit and prescription medications. n Hand-operated can opener. n Special items for infants, the elderly or family members with special needs. n A variety of hand tools. n Identification and copies of important family documents in a waterproof container. n Cash (ATMs may be unavailable). FOLLOW REC ON SOCIAL MEDIA. 2 3

3 FOLLOW THESE TIPS SO YOU CAN PREPARE BEFORE A STORM: (CONTINUED) Develop and practice an emergency plan with everyone in your household. If your water supply is dependent on electricity, fill your bathtub with water. Charge cell phones. Unplug electronic euipment. If someone relies on life support euipment, identify an alternate location with power where they can go during an outage. If needed, register for REC s Serious Medical Condition Program (Download the enrollment form and learn more at or call REC). Fill up your vehicles with gas and if you use a portable generator fill up fuel cans. Make sure your pets and livestock are taken care of in your preparedness efforts. WHEN A MAJOR STORM OCCURS SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. IF YOUR POWER GOES OUT: Report your power outage to REC either by phone or online. Stay informed about outage restoration in the Outage Center at and with your local radio station. Utilize your emergency storm kit. Unplug TVs and appliances such as stoves or ovens. Keep freezer and refrigerator doors shut. n Food in your refrigerator will remain safe as long as power is out for no more than 4 hours. n Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been above 40 F for over 2 hours. Be safe around candles or open flames. Instead of using candles or open flames for light, use flashlights. If you are operating a generator, make sure that you follow all safety guidelines. During a power outage, safety for our members and employees is our top priority. 4 5

4 OUTAGE RESTORATION PROCESS We understand that it is important to know when your power will be restored. When the power goes out, our restoration process begins as soon as conditions are safe for our linemen. Here is the order that we follow to help ensure your power is restored as safely and uickly as possible: GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS: FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES A generator can be a wonderful tool during an outage, but it can also be extremely dangerous. If used incorrectly, a generator can cause serious harm or even death to you, your family and REC lineworkers. It is important that when using your generator, you keep the following safety tips in mind you just may save a life. Know your generator! n Read all the information and follow instructions regarding maintenance and testing. When a generator is not properly installed, it can backfeed sending electricity through the transformer and producing an output of 7,200 volts on the distribution line. As a result, a line crew working on the system would be put in danger. Isolate your generator from the Co-op s power lines. n Connect appliances or other devices directly to the generator with the appropriate-sized cords. n If you connect it directly to your home s wiring, a generator transfer switch is reuired to separate your generator from the Co-op s system. Take care when fueling your generator. n Never try to refuel the unit while it is operating. n Avoid spilling gasoline or other fuels on hot components. Provide adeuate ventilation and air cooling for the generator to prevent overheating and the accumulation of toxic exhaust fumes. n Do not install your generator in a basement, attached garage or any closed area. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is an odorless, invisible, poisonous gas. 1. We begin our restoration at the point where the power feeds into REC s system. This could be on a transmission line, at a substation, or on a main distribution line. 2. After these have been repaired, the crews then work on remaining outage problems working from the substation out to your home or business. 3. Crews correct the trouble in areas that serve the greatest number of members first and work until electricity is restored to each member s home

5 WHAT TO DO AFTER A STORM. It is always a relief when your power is restored. However, it is important that you take steps to keep safe. It is also an opportunity to think about what you could do differently to be better prepared in the future. Discard any spoiled food. Replace batteries as needed. Replenish any supplies from your storm kit. If you used a generator, store it safely. What would you do differently during the next outage? Use the space below to add items to your checklist: REC