Reminder: Stay away from downed power lines

Power for Progress…

A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority

Reminder: Stay away from downed power lines

Whether it is an ice storm, a tornado, wildfire, or some other weather event that could damage power lines and the Grand River Dam Authority’s ability to deliver electricity, GRDA wants to be prepared as possible so it can quickly respond, rebuild, and restore the flow of power.

To do that, Team GRDA’s experienced and dedicated team of professionals come together regularly to discuss and refine the storm response plan. Planning, preparation, and safety are key factors of that plan, and if a stormy situation does arise, our team is ready to respond.

Of course, GRDA also wants you to stay safe during such episodes. We realize the most important part of any outage storm response plan is understanding the dangers of downed power lines.

With that in mind, we wanted to share the following tips again, from the Electric Safety Foundation International (esfi.org). No matter what weather may come your way this winter, Team GRDA wants you to stay safe!

• ALWAYS assume fallen power lines are energized. Stay at least 35 feet away from a downed power line and any nearby objects it may be touching, such as a fence or tree limb.
• Remember, a power line does not need to be sparking or arcing to be energized, even if it’s sagging close to or on the ground.
• Be careful not to put your feet near water where a downed power line is located.
• Do not drive over downed power lines.
• Contact your utility company immediately to report downed power lines outside your home.
• Never touch a person who is in contact with a downed power line. Call 911 immediately.

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees, and efficiency.