Fall is the perfect time to prepare for winter storm season.

• Prepare for the unexpected
• How to prevent frozen and broken pipes
• How to protect yourself during a power outage
• Emergency Preparedness at EWEB

If there is an extended power outage in the middle of winter, you'll want to be prepared ahead of time.

Remember, emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. Here are some tips to help you prepare and stay safe in an emergency. 

Stock up on nonperishable food for the entire family.

Buy a battery-powered radio to receive updates if the power is out for an extended period.

Make sure you know how to open and close your garage door manually. Or park your vehicle outside ahead of a storm.

Store 14 gallons of water per person (one gallon per person per day is enough for two weeks).

Stock up on batteries and power banks to recharge cell phones and other electronic devices. 

Keep your fuel tanks full. If the power goes out, you may want to use your grill or camp stove for cooking, so ensure you have an adequate fuel supply on hand. It's also a good idea to keep your car's tank full since gas station fuel pumps rely on electricity. If you have an Electric Vehicle, charge it ahead of predicted storms.

Save yourself the hassle and cost of emergency repairs by locating pipes in areas that have a higher risk for freeze damage. Then, take a few simple steps to reduce the risk of burst pipes.

Prepare for winter weather:

• Wrap pipes located in unheated areas - such as an attic, crawl space or garage - with foam pipe insulation.
• Drain water from underground sprinkler piping and backflow prevention assembly. Wrap the assembly with foam insulation.
• Disconnect and drain garden hoses. If you don't have frost-proof outdoor faucets, install an insulated cover. 

If your pipes freeze:

• You will know that your pipes have frozen if you turn on the tap and no water flows.
• Never use a flame or electric appliance, such as a hair dryer or heating pad, to thaw a frozen pipe.
• You can thaw a frozen pipe by warming towels or blankets in the clothes dryer and then wrapping them around the frozen pipe. Repeat this process until water flows from the tap.
• If your pipe breaks, shut off your water using your whole-house valve or customer-side hand valve at the water meter. 
• If you cannot shut the water off, call us at 541-685-7595. 

Update your account info before the next storm

To avoid extra steps during a power outage, and to be placed on a restoration plan, please make sure your current cell phone number is tied to your EWEB account. Update your account by contacting customer service at 541-685-7000 or EWEB.Answers@eweb.org.

Prepare ahead of time for a Power Outage

Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity. Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources, such as a portable charger or power bank, to meet your needs when the power goes out. Have flashlights for every household member. Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last. Prepare an emergency supply kit.

Know Your Medical Needs

Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.

Food Storage

Have enough nonperishable food and water. Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.

When Using Appliances During Power Outages

Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home. Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. 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. Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage.

Next time you wake up, try to count how many times you use water in just the first 15 minutes of your day. Do you head straight for the shower? Brush your teeth? Fill up your coffee pot for your morning brew? All three? It’s amazing how much we rely on water.

On October 19, EWEB participated in the observance of the ninth-annual “Imagine a Day Without Water.” The event was founded to highlight how water is essential, invaluable, and in need of continuous investment. 

EWEB is investing more than $200 million in major water infrastructure projects in the next 10 years with the goal of ensuring reliable water service even during a major natural disaster, such as an earthquake. 

Multiple major infrastructure projects EWEB is currently building or planning are specifically designed to withstand major earthquakes. 

Earthquakes can happen anytime and almost anywhere. It's important for us to practice how to be safe if an earthquake occurs. 

EWEB staff joined 600,000 Oregonians on Oct. 19th for the nationwide ShakeOut earthquake drill.

EWEB's Source Water Protection Team led partners in a drill simulating our emergency response to an oil spill on the McKenzie River – the sole source of drinking water for 200,000 people in Eugene and Springfield. 

“EWEB faces the challenge of effectively planning and operating in an environment of a changing climate, new technology, developing markets, political and regulatory flux, natural and human-caused threats, and evolving community expectations,” EWEB General Manager Frank Lawson said. “In this environment, we need to embed resiliency into all of our operations, processes and decision making.”

Staff gave out about 300 emergency water containers to enthusiastic community members eager to learn more about the water station and boost their home emergency preparation kit with a free, three-gallon water container.

When the earth shakes