Weather Ready

Severe winter weather can come at anytime over the next month and Bowie-Cass Electric Cooperative is taking proactive steps to respond quickly and safely is outages occur. Crews are ready, materials are staged, and coordination is underway to ensure any disruptions are handled with urgency.

While BCEC is working hard to minimize service interruptions, members are encouraged to prepare as well: Build an essentials kit with battery-powered flashlights and radios, blankets, ice packs, and fully charged backup batteries and devices (phones, tablets, laptops), make a contact list of emergency phone numbers. If you rely on electricity powered medical equipment, now is the time to arrange alternative shelter or a backup power source, store water and food and fill containers for washing, stock up on bottled drinking water, and keep nonperishable food items (plus a manual can opener) on hand and use appliances carefully during an outage. Turn off lights and electronics to prevent circuit overloads when power is restored. Leave one light on so you’ll know when it’s back.

Taking simple steps now can make all the difference in staying safe and comfortable if winter weather causes disruptions.

Downed Lines and Generator Safety

After a storm, always assume downed power lines are live and dangerous. Debris like tree limbs can hide serious electrical hazards. If you see a wire on the ground or hanging overhead, stay away and contact emergency services right away.

If you are driving and come across a downed line, stay in your vehicle, keep others away, and report the situation immediately.

Using a generator? Make sure it’s: Never run indoors or in a garage (carbon monoxide is DEADLY.) and properly installed to prevent back-feeding, which can put utility crews at serious risk.

Taking these precautions can help protect you, your family, and the crews working to restore power.

How to Report an Outage

If your power goes out, there are several ways to report it: Call 877-707-2232, use the Member Portal or mobile app for faster service, check the outage map at www.bcec. com for real-time updates and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest restoration information.

During major storms, call volumes increase and can cause delays. That is why we recommend using the Member Portal or mobile app whenever possible. Both options are the quickest way to get your report in and receive status updates.

For more tips on how to stay prepared before, during, and after winter weather, visit our full winter readiness guide at bcec.com