Prepare For An Outage

Before calling the Co-op during a power outage, check to see if others in your area have lost power. This information will help us determine the cause of the outage. If others have lights and you don't, check your home's panel box. A blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker could be at fault.

• If you've determined that the source of the interruption is outside your home, report your outage at once. Outages can be reported:
  • online at mycvec.com
  • using the MyCVEC mobile app
  • by phone at 800-367-2832
  • by text message if you are a text notification subscriber
     
• Have the following information ready before making the call:
  • name in which the account is listed
  • your name and phone number
  • account number
  • pole number from your billing stub can be helpful
  • the time of the outage
  • any flashes or unusual noises that may help us identify the source of the problem

Power outages can be reported at mycvec.com, by text or mobile app, or by calling 800-367-2832.
Our crews are on call and will respond to restore service as quickly as possible. 

Remember: Stay away from downed power lines! Keep children and pets away from downed power lines!

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​Before You Lose Power:

Prepare outage kit before any outages occur. 

Take inventory now of the items you will need that rely on electricity. A fully stocked outage kit will be crucial if extended outages occur. Your kit should includewater (one gallon per person per day, for several days), food (three-day supply of non-perishables), flashlights, First Aid Kit/prescriptions, extra batteries/wireless phone chargers, manual can opener, extra blankets, moist towelettes and hygiene products, family & emergency contact list, fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, cash, extra pet food, water, and medications (if applicable).

Charge phones and electronic devices.

Start with a full charge. When severe weather is forecasted, charge up all electronic devices, including power banks.

Plan to stay hydrated.

Water is essential to survival. If you are on a well, your water will go out when your power goes out. Before a storm hits, fill up empty jugs with water to flush toilets, wash hands, brush teeth, and for hydration. Make sure you have a supply of water for your pets and livestock as well. 

Plan to keep warm.

Make sure fuel tanks are full and you have an ample supply of wood or propane for alternate heating and cooking sources. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows. Never use these items inside your home. Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors with battery backup on every levle of your home. If you have pets, bring them inside. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate, warm shelter and unfrozen water to drink.

• Retain indoor heat as long as possible. Do not open exterior doors unless absolutely necessary, and keep all blinds and curtains closed to preserve heat. Shield windows with additional coverings at night, like tacking a lightweight blanket to block cold air.
• Use caution and be sure to have adequate ventilation when operating generators, lanterns, heaters and fuel-fired cook stoves. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
• If you use a generator, have it installed by a certified electrician and inspected by your county's building inspector. Improperly installed generators may feed energy back into the distribution lines, endangering our linemen and others. More information can be found here.
• Always refuel appliances outside.
• Do not leave fireplaces and burning candles unattended at night.

Have a backup plan for medical equipment and supplies. 

Work with your medical provider on a plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refridgerated medications before outages occur.

Home safety.

Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on each level of your home. Drain pipes and open cabinet doors if you are using an alternate heat source. If you experience any storm damage to your home, be sure to photograph and document it (for insurance claims) before you begin the clean-up process.

Food safety.

Keep the door to your refrigerator or freezer closed. If your door seals are tight, your food will normally be safe for several hours without power.

Reduce cold load pickup.

Turn off large electric appliances and equipment so that lines are not overloaded when power is restored. Gradually bring your home to a comfortable temperature after an outage. 

Don't forget to restock your emergency supply kit after an outage.

Planned Outages:

As part of ongoing system improvement work, it is necessary on occasions to de-energize a line section. This often occurs when CVEC is upgrading from 7,200 volts to 14,400 volts or when safety considerations during repair work require it. CVEC will notify members by postcard, email, or telephone in advance when possible, unless emergency repairs arise and prevent notification.

Additional Resources

The site, www.ready.gov, is a joint project of The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is a campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and to encourage basic preparedness across the nation.

Included on the site is Ready Kids, a tool to help parents and teachers educate children (grades 1 through 12) about emergencies and how they can help get their families prepared. The program includes family-friendly web pages and online materials developed by Sesame Workshop and Discovery Education. Discover lots of information about being prepared, planning ahead, and staying informed. Check it out!

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