What you should do during a power outage

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Residents across the Greater Richmond Region are facing the aftermath of Thursday's severe storms, which resulted in damaged power lines and caused outages.

Over 17,000 homes and businesses were without power in Central Virginia as of 10:25 a.m. on Friday, June 20, according to Dominion Energy.

Thursday night’s severe weather also saw multiple reports of trees falling into homes in Henrico County and Chesterfield County, which threatened power outages across Central Virginia.

At the peak of the outage on Thursday, June 19, about 90,000 businesses and homes had no power.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has answers for those impacted by the extended power outages when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly.

Power outages can cause disruptions to communications, water and transportation, while also closing retail businesses, grocery stores and other services. For Virginians at home, there is also the risk of food spoilage and lingering damage in the aftermath.

PHOTOS: Heavy storm damage throughout Central Virginia

The VDEM website has shared the following tips for how you can protect yourself and your loved ones during the outage:

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
• Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
• Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
• If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling.
• Check on neighbors.

The VDEM has tips for Virginians to be safe when their power goes out.

How to prepare

• Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity.
• 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.
• Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
• Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
• Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.
• Review the supplies that are available in case of a power outage. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
• Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
• Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.

How to survive during severe weather

• 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.
• Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
• 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.
• Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
• Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.

How to be safe after

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
• What if the power is out for more than a day?
  • Discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and take medicine only until a new supply is available.