NEWS

Get prepared during Severe Weather Awareness Week

LINCOLN — Nebraskans are no stranger to severe weather, as the last few weeks have shown. While the latest storm’s snow has already melted, Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 24-28, serves as an important and timely reminder for the community to prepare before the next storm strikes.

Lincoln Electric System is asking customers to use the following tips to help ensure they’re prepared if the power goes out due to severe weather:

  • Create a plan. Have a plan and verify everyone in the household knows it. Where will you go? What will you do? If you rely on electricity-dependent assistive technology and medical devices, be sure your plan includes alternative power sources. Find out how long temperature-sensitive medication can be stored and get specific guidance for any critical medications.
     
  • Update your info with LES PowerLine. LES PowerLine is the outage-reporting system that matches your phone number to your service address, allowing crews to be quickly dispatched once you’ve reported your outage. Keep your information updated to avoid reporting an outage at an old address by visiting LES.com/PowerLine.
     
  • Build an emergency kit. Start with the essentials: food (bottled water and non-perishable food items), light (flashlight or lantern) and a way to stay informed (a battery-operated radio or TV). Don’t forget the extra batteries! From there, depending on the season, you can include blankets, rain ponchos and anything else you might need. See more tips at LES.com/Outage-Education.
     
  • Know how to report an outage. LES has two ways to report an outage: online at LES.com/Report or over the phone via PowerLine at 888.365.2412. Be sure to report your outage, even if your neighbors already have, to help LES crews better assess the situation.
     
  • Check your generator. Help us help you in the event of an emergency. Read our safety tips, available at LES.com/Safety, before you install a generator or have an electrician check the installation of your current generator.

Though LES has one of the highest reliability scores in the nation, outages still happen, especially during storms. “During an outage, we prioritize work based on the greatest need and impact. Restoration efforts begin by focusing on transmission lines and substations, which help supply electricity from the grid to customers,” said Paul Crist, LES’ vice president of Energy Delivery. “After that, crews work to restore power to critical infrastructure associated with public safety, such as hospitals and water pumping stations. Then, crews focus on getting power back for the most customers in the shortest time possible.” Find a more in-depth look at LES’ restoration hierarchy at LES.com/Outage-Education.

To stay informed on outages and for more resources from your community-owned public power utility, visit LES.com. Stay up-to-date on the latest at LES by following us on Facebook, X and Instagram.