Power companies prepare for winter storm

 

JACKSON, Tenn.—Power companies like Jackson Energy Authority, Gibson County Electric, and Southwest Tennessee Electric are fueling up, stocking up, and sharpening their chain saw blades while closely watching to weather forecast to be ready if the lights go out.

When snow is in the forecast, utility companies have extra work to keep the lights on.

“Sharpening chain saws getting small equipment ready fueling vehicles and being sure we have the right personnel even to the point where we are allowing people to work from home to take calls if they are able to get in to the office,” JEA Senior Manager of Operations Robert Mullins said. “The snow plus the wind that they’re calling for could give JEA some trouble with the power lines so we are preparing and anticipating potential  problems and getting ready for whatever the storm brings us.”

JEA said they prepare for winter storms all year long, and they have already enacted the first stages of their emergency plan to prepare for Friday.

“In preps to be sure that the people who could shave to arrange housing for people that might have to come in and help if we do get some bad storms here in Jackson,” Robert Mullins said.

Phillip Mullins with Southwest Tennessee Electric said their staff is preparing to work through the night once the storm hits.

“What we would like the guys to do today is not get tied up in anything big and heavy to do, to do more routine light work because we could end up being up all night we typically work 40 hours in a row if they storms hits,” he said.

If power lines do fall down, do NOT go near them, but call your local power company.

“You may think it’s off and it may still be energized so keep in mind that down power lines are very very dangerous,” Phillip Mullins said.

Utility companies say depending on how severe the damage is they will call on other utility companies in surrounding areas to assist in helping restore power.

If you do lose power, contact your electric company.