Be Prepared for Winter Storms

When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Winter storm severity varies depending on where you live, but nearly all of us are affected by extreme winter storms at some point. South Central Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation (SCI REMC) cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.

Heavy snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without power. During extremely low temperatures, this can be dangerous. During a power outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself.

Stay Warm

Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove during a power outage. These are great options to keep you and your loved ones warm, but exercise caution when using, and never leave the heating source unattended. If you are using gasoline-, propane- or natural gas-burning devices to stay warm, never use them indoors. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should always be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s directions before using.

Stay Fed

The CDC recommends having several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked handy. Crackers, cereal, canned goods, and bread are good options. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage.

Stay Safe

When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel during winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live and dangerous. Stay as far away from the downed lines as possible, and report the situation by calling (765) 342-3344 if possible.

Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. SCI REMC is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too. For more winter safety tips, visit Ready.gov's page on winter weather.

During an outage, turn off and unplug all unnecessary electronics or appliances; this will keep equipment from being damaged by surges or spikes when the power returns. You can also safeguard electronics with surge protectors. Point-of-use surge protection devices protect the items directly plugged into them. This surge protector cannot stop the surge, but it instead diverts the surge to the ground, away from your electronic devices.

What to Do If Your Electricity Is Off

Check the lights and appliances in other rooms. If you still have power in some areas, most likely a fuse has blown, or a circuit breaker has opened—a warning of overloaded wiring or a defective appliance.

If you determined that the outage is not due to a problem at your residence, please report your outage.

You can report an outage online through our "Report an Outage" portal, through the mobile app “SCI REMC Connect,” or by text or phone.

To report an outage by text, sign up for TextPower by visiting our TextPower page. You must only do this before your first use. Text “OUTAGE” to report an outage and then follow the prompts. Text “STATUS” to receive restoration updates specific to your outage.

To report an outage by phone, call (765) 342-3344 or (800) 264-7362.

Visit our outage map.

More Information

Visit our Severe Weather page for more information and tips on being prepared for weather-related outages.