Executive Council
 March 11, 2017

Premier Updates Residents on Outages

This evening, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, is informing the province of measures currently being taken for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador during this weather event.

“During the sustained high winds and winter weather we are currently experiencing, there are power outages due to the loss of transmission lines and potentially unsafe conditions in our communities. The Provincial Government is receiving regular updates from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Newfoundland Power. Crews are out at this time and they are actively responding to the outages which may continue overnight. I encourage residents to prepare for continued outages and stay safe until conditions improve.”
The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) is engaging with emergency management and utility companies throughout the province to provide advice and guidance where necessary and to exchange the most current information with regards to warnings and advisories.

FES-NL is reminding municipalities to review their emergency management plans. Municipalities and emergency responders are reminded that if they require immediate assistance overnight or anytime, they can contact FES-NL at 709-729-3703, 24 hours a day.

Community leaders and town managers are also encouraged to check with insurance companies to fully understand policies and coverage in the event of impacts. Individuals and homeowners requiring emergency assistance are encouraged to call 911 for police, fire or ambulance services.

In a non-emergency situation, impacted individuals should contact municipalities and communities initially to inquire what services are being offered locally to assist‎.

Residents are reminded to check websites and social media for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro https://www.nlhydro.com/ and Newfoundland Power https://www.newfoundlandpower.com/ external link.

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Media contact:

Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca

Useful Links

Environment Canada and Climage Change forecast info be viewed at: //weather.gc.ca/forecast/canada/index_e.html?id=NL external link

Environment Canada and Climage Change watches and warnings: //weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=nl‎ external link

NL Hydro outage information: https://my.nlhydro.com/portal/PreLogOutages.aspx external link

NF Power outage information: //www.newfoundlandpower.com/Outages/ViewPowerOutages/Details.aspx?id=&refresh=2011/12/09%2012:47:23‎ external link

Provincial road reports: //www.roads.gov.nl.ca/highwaydriving/default.stm#report 

Follow us at @GovNL external link and NR_GovNL external link and MAE_GovNL external link and TW_GovNL external link

Backgrounder
Safety Information and Advice for Residents

Impacted communities and residents are reminded of the following safety advice:

During a Power Outage:

  • First, check whether the power outage is limited to your home. If your neighbours' power is still on, check your own circuit breaker panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a breaker or a fuse, check the service wires leading to the house. If they are obviously damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 metres back and notify your electricity provider. Keep the number for Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, along with other emergency numbers, near your telephone.
  • Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system down to minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored. Also, power can be restored more easily when there is not a heavy load on the electrical system.
  • Turn off all lights, except one inside and one outside, so that both you and electricity crews outside know that power has been restored.
  • Don't open your freezer or fridge unless it is absolutely necessary. A full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed.
  • Never use charcoal or propane barbecues, camping heating equipment, or home generators indoors.
  • If at all possible, listen to a battery-powered or wind-up radio regularly for information on power outages or further advice from local authorities.

Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety Tips:

  • In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be a source of carbon monoxide (CO). For this reason, CO alarms should be installed in the home.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height of CO alarms.
  • Choose alarms that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
  • Alarms should be tested and checked for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
  • If a CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
  • If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
  • During and after a winter storm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
  • During power outages, a generator should only be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
  • Candles and other temporary heating sources should be monitored constantly, and should never be left unattended or operational while sleeping.
  • All entrances and exits, including windows, should be free of snow build-up in the event an evacuation is required.
  • In addition, residents are reminded that working smoke alarms are required in every bedroom of a home or dwelling, and in cottages and cabins too. These alarms should have some form of battery back-up, and should be checked regularly to ensure they are in working order.

Avoid Travelling:

  • Travel should be avoid where possible; however, should travel be necessary, the following should be kept in mind:
  • Ensure someone is aware of your travel plans and the time you anticipate arriving at your destination. Also be sure to check in once you reach your intended destination.
  • Be ready to pull over in a safe location should conditions become too intense to reach your destination.
  • An emergency preparedness kit should be assembled for your vehicle, including booster cables, a blanket, water, non-perishable food items (such as energy bars, which keep well in a vehicle), a flashlight, a battery powered or wind-up radio, poncho, first-aid kit, multi-purpose knife and other essential items.

2017 03 11                             7:30 p.m.