W H AT T O D O , W H E R E T O G O , W H E N D I S A S T E R S T R I K E S FARRAGUTPRESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 • 1B
Are you prepared? Tennessee remained at a Level II-State of Emergency (as of deadline Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 24), which began at 3 p.m., CST, Saturday, Feb. 21. The original elevation to a Level III–State of Emergency for this winter storm was at 9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 16. Fog on the Cumberland Plateau was an impediment to many response efforts there, preventing Civil Air Patrol and Tennessee Highway Patrol reconnaissance flights over the area Monday, Feb. 23. The conditions also put THP’s plans on hold to conduct rolling road blocks on Interstate 40 for power restoration missions. West Tennessee received more winter weather Feb. 21 with snow starting to accumulate around 9 p.m., CST. Middle Tennessee had Flood Advisories in effect for a number of counties, including Montgomery, Robertson, Davidson, Williamson, Hickman, Giles and Perry. Winter Weather Advisories were in place for Hardin, Lincoln, Moore and Franklin counties. East Tennessee received fog overnight and Monday morning. Visibility of 1 mile or less was reported. Driving was hazardous on local roads and highways due to reduced visibility and black ice. Knox County Schools were closed all week (Feb. 16-20) and at least the first two days of this week (Feb. 23-24). RESPONSE ACTIONS • The SEOC coordinated the delivery of generators to Putnam and Cumberland counties to assist with water system power outages. Two generators were at the Monterery Water Plant on stand-by. Another generator is being transported from
Chattanooga to the Catoosa area of Cumberland County for the Crossville Water System. • Chainsaw crews from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Civil Air Patrol and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster deployed to eight counties in the Cumberland Plateau. Chainsaw crews were out again Monday, Feb. 16, with additional teams from the Tennessee National Guard. • The Tennessee National Guard deployed 10 units with 20 personnel to the Cumberland Plateau to do wellness checks and assist local and state officials in the response. • The Tennessee Highway Patrol deployed a strike team to White County to assist the County and has sent two troopers to Overton County for traffic support. • TEMA’s East, Middle and West Regional offices continue to poll counties for situational updates and to provide assistance to local EMAs and officials. FATALITIES (Since Feb. 16, 2015) Tennessee had 30 confirmed, weather-related fatalities as of Feb. 24, including: • Benton County – One (1) fatality: 64-year-old female, motor vehicle accident; • Campbell County – Two (2) fatalities: 76-year-old male, weather related; 32-year-oldmale, weather related; • Claiborne County – Two (2) fatalities: 63-year-old male,
Peterson Road at Kingston Pike
weather related; 53-year-old male, weather related; • Cumberland County – One (1) fatality: 83-year-old male, carbon monoxide poisoning; • Hamilton County – One (1) fatality: 63-year-old male, hypothermia related; • Haywood County – One (1) fatality: 40-year-old female, motor vehicle accident; • Henry County – Two (2) fatalities: 64-year-old female, hypo-thermia related; 69-yearold male, hypothermia related; • Hickman County One (1) fatality: 67-year-old male, dialysis patient, unable to get to treatment; • Knox County – Four (4) fatalities: 30-year-old male, motor vehicle accident; 75year-old male, fire; 68-year-old female, fire; 47-year-old male, fire; • Moore County – One (1)
fatality: 73-year-old male, hypothermia; • Overton County – One (1) fatality: 38-year-old female, motor vehicle accident; • Polk County – One (1) fatality: 79-year-old male, weather related; • Roane County – One (1) fatality: 44-year-old male, hypothermia related; • Sequatchie – One (1) fatality: 85-year-old male, hypothermia related; • Sevier – Two (2) fatalities: 70-year-old female, weather related; Male (age unknown), weather related; • Shelby County – Three (3) fatalities: 48-year-old male, hypo-thermia related; Male (age unknown), hypothermia related; (Demographics unknown), hypo-thermia related; • Sumner County – One (1) fatality: Male, 60s, weather
related; • Wayne County – One (1) fatality: 82-year-old male, weather related; • Weakley County – One (1) fatality: 82-year-old male, hypothermia; • Williamson County – Two (2) fatalities: 34-year-old female, motor vehicle accident; 10year-old male, motor vehicle accident. As of Monday, Feb. 23, there were 698 customers without power in Tennessee covering seven counties: Bledsoe (220); Cumberland (20,000); Fentress (8,5-55); Monroe (236); Overton (1,176); Putnam (1,200) and White (1,311). When disaster strikes what can people do and where can people go to survive? This guide is designed to help answer those questions and possibly provide enough information to save lives.
In hazardous driving conditions you are not alone ■
KEN LAY Correspondent
With the recent winter storms came the usual consequences and problems such as school closings, event cancellations and treacherous driving conditions. The ice and snow made roads difficult to pass and sometimes nearly impossible to navigate. The storm and the roads frayed the nerves of travelers and disabled its share of vehicles. As if all the snow and ice weren’t enough, record-low temperatures made things worse and perhaps life-threatening for some who found themselves stranded. Ice, snow and bitterly cold weather can make life tough and being stranded along the roadside can definitely take its toll. So what should someone, who finds him or herself in an accident
on an icy road, do under dire circumstances? “I would advise people to stay home,” Knox County Sheriff’s Office Westside Precinct Capt. Brad Hall said. “If you have to get out, stay on the main roads like Kingston Pike, Watt Road, Lovell Road, Concord Road and Campbell Station. “Stay away from the secondary roads until the weather gets warm enough to melt the ice.” Knox County’s first winter storm rolled during the early afternoon, Monday, Feb. 16, and intensified over the next two days. Hall noted, however, that the highly traveled roads were clear late on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 18. “Right now, the main roads are pretty much clear,” Hall said Wednesday afternoon. “The secondary roads may not be clear until the weather warms up
enough to melt the ice.” Hall said that motorists who find their vehicles disabled should “call the Sheriff’s Office’s nonemergency dispatch line, 865-2152444. “Most people now have cell phones,” he added. “They can call our non-emergency line and tell dispatch where they are. They can tell us what happened and they can tell us if they need a wrecker. “They can also call AAA, if they have AAA. We will dispatch a wrecker or if the person has a preferred [towing service], dispatch can contact a company and send a wrecker. If they tell us what their preferred service is, that will speed up the process. If [the motorist] calls us, then we can send an officer out to stay with them until a wrecker arrives.” Moneymaker’s Wrecker Service is one of the companies that pri-
New Hampshire fire personnel rescue submerged driver.
marily serve Farragut and the surrounding area and the company’s owner, Robert Moneymaker, has seen his share of frigid winter weather and provided assistance to several stranded motorists.
“The best thing that I can tell people is to stay calm and call the police,” Moneymaker said. “You need to make sure that you have See DRIVING on Page 6B
2B • FARRAGUTPRESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Generators overcome power outage ■
ALAN SLOAN asloan@farragutpress.com
Preparing for a long-term power outage, such as the Farragut and East Tennessee areas experienced last week, involves knowing how to react — and whether or not to purchase a generator. Generators readily available are fueled by natural gas, propane and petroleum gas-powered, the latter and cheaper portable option allowing for plugged in heaters to perform (being sure that generator is placed outside well away from your home due to potentially deadly exhaust). Having a generator “is a great option, it’s probably the best. But it’s the most expensive. Many people can’t afford to do that,” M. Shannon Littleton, Lenoir City Utilities Board general manager, said. Natural gas generators tied to your electrical panel that automatically come on during an electrical outage “are a great idea,” Bob Lambert, president of Tennessee Gas Association and gas division superintendent with Etowah Utilities in McMinn County, said. However, “The big natural gas units, they’re very pricy. … For one to operate an entire house I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I would guess at least $5,000,” Lambert added. “Our office actually operates off two of them here in Etowah. They’re so quick [to keep power going] you don’t seek lights blink hardly.” As for cheaper options, “I know a lot of people are getting the smaller [portable] generators just to operate the essentials, like being able to plug in refrigerators and freezers and that kind of stuff and maybe a small heater of some kind,” Lambert said. “That
would be a gasoline or propane” generator. Alan Lawson, director for Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management Agency, said high-end circuit back-up generators could cost “in the 10,000 to $15,000 range to run your whole house just like it was normal. You can have a propane tank and fuel it, or if you’ve got a natural gas utility at your house, they make them to run off that. A [natural] gas line underground is much more reliable.” Because of the carbon monoxide exhaust created whenever using a portable gas-powered generator, “Those things need to remain outside. … They need to be at least a pretty good distance away from the home, away from windows, away from cracked doors,” Littleton said, otherwise “that’s going to be a fatal mistake. … Looking at what the manufacturer tells you what to do in [the instructions].” Improperly connecting a generator “tied back to your electrical panel” not only can do harm to family members in a home, but also could harm emergency crews who might be working just outside of a home or anyone near a downed power line around that house, Littleton added. “Make sure they’re hooked up correctly, because if they don’t have the proper switching gear they can put power back on a dead or downed power line and can actually electrocute someone that’s close to a downed line. It’s very dangerous. And the problem with a generator, they don’t trip off like a breaker does in an electrical system.” The bottom line with installation of a generator that ties into your electrical panel, Littleton said, is hire an electrician to
Portable propane powered generator
install it. For more information, call LCUB at 865-986-6591. Littleton said LCUB targets nursing homes and assisted living homes, with a high elderly population, and specific homes where the utility has documented at least one resident with a chronic health issue as priorities when it comes to restoring power. As opposed to waiting until a power outage happens, customers with chronic health issues or caring for someone with chronic health issues in an LCUB-powered home are encouraged to “call in and let us get you flagged into our system,” Littleton said. “If you’ve got a true medical emergency you need to try and get a hold of us, as a result of power being is out, and let us know,” Littleton added. “… To get a quicker response to that home if See GENERATORS on Page 4B
Portable gas powered generator
LCUB’s new automated system calls you, speeds communication with customers
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ALAN SLOAN asloan@farragutpress.com
Lenoir City Utilities Board is going to put the old saying “don’t call us, we’ll call you” into practice during future power outages for its 64,000 residential, business and non-profit customers including Farragut. With its “automated system” of communication expected to be unveiled by the end of February or early March, “The way we’re going to be handling power outages is going to be very different. … People are going to know information on a quicker basis,” M. Shannon Littleton, LCUB general manager, said. “Our phone system is actually going to be able to predict outages, going to call that customer, going to give them some updated information periodically where they’re not going to have to call us. We’re going to be actively calling them,” Littleton added about the automated system, which will be able to send out up to three different forms of communication (primarily phone, text and email) to contact each customer. “Better communication. We can make people more aware of what’s going on, give them a better time frame. Even in a normal outage we can inform somebody.” For example, “If they need to go to dinner, ‘Don’t come home because you’re power’s out for about two hours. Go have dinner and then come home,’” Littleton said. “The one thing we’re going to have to have from our customers is a contact number or an e-mail address or text or a way to get
ahold of that customer in some manner,” Littleton added. To update your LCUB contact information, go to www.LCUB.org/ Littleton said a card would be mailed out to customers to fill out and return. Littleton said an LCUB app for customers’ smartphones “so folks can follow what’s going on” should be available sometime “later this year.” Serving “close to a quarter million people,” Littleton said the system “is ready to be deployed, but we didn’t use it in this [most recent] storm because it was too new and I was a little nervous to do something brand new with this big of an event.” Customers could have shorter power outages, Littleton said, because the system will create greater efficiency in communication among LCUB repair crews and other employees. Among LCUB electrical customers, Littleton said calling to report that your power is out is understandable yet unnecessary — unless you witness a specific power abnormality such as downed power lines. “It causes us to use a lot of resources,” Littleton said about needing LCUB employees to answer customer calls when utility crews already know about, and are beginning to react toward solving, your outage issue. Calling to report an outage “was the correct thing to do a number of years ago,” Littleton said. “But now we have the technology in place that we know the power’s out. We know down to the See LCUB on Page 6B
Alan Sloan
Lenoir City Utilities Board Customer Service Center, 136 S. Campbell Station Road, in Farragut.
986-6591 For Your convenience Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
Emergency Extension Numbers 1502 - To report power outage 1739 - Electrical Safety Tips
Credit Card Payments A convenience fee will be assessed. 1-866-268-3173
To Connect or Disconnect Service 1500 - To establish electric service 1500 - To disconnect electric service
Public Relations 1716 - Community Involvement
Payment Options 1501 - Equal Monthly Payment Plan 1501 - Electronic Funds Transfer Plan 1747 - Contributions to Neighboraide Program
Billing Information 1501 - Bill questions 1505 - Concerns about Cut-off notice 1731 - Meter Reading accuracy
For Assistance after hours, please call 986-6591 136 N. Campbell Station Road, Farragut 501 N. Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville | 206 Depot Street, Lenoir City
WWW.LCUB.COM
STATE OF EMERGENCY
FARRAGUTPRESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 • 3B
#knoxwx keeps residents informed ■
ALAN SLOAN asloan@farragutpress.com
With no thought of profiting yet responding to a need to streamline the communication of various government and news agencies into one Twitter location, especially useful for ordinary citizens in times of emergencies, Dan Andrews of Concord has stepped forward. Long power outages plus icy and debris-filled roads due to severe weather conditions, which the Farragut and East Tennessee area experienced the last two weeks, have made #knoxwx all the more practical, Andrews, a Knox County journalist whose hobbies include meteorology, said. “There’s so much information in times of a storm and times of a bad weather element, this allows government officials and the public to streamline exactly what they’re looking for,” Andrews said about the hashtag “I created about a year ago” where everyone can share and learn about what’s going on free of charge, which is especially useful when thousands of homes are without power. “What makes this program so effective is people in Knox County can go to the hashtag and get realtime feedback from their government officials about power outages, road closures and things of that nature,” Andrews added. “The public is encouraged to get involved because wires are down, roads are slippery. They can alert everybody in the community. They can also show photos and see snow totals in real time.” Based on information found at #knoxwx from various Knox County agencies and City of Knoxville, news organizations and citizens passing on eyewitness information when tested in last week’s weather challenge, “It See #KNOXWX on Page 5B
Avoid frostbite, hypothermia this winter ■
TAMMY CHEEK tcheek@farragutpress.com
With this week’s single-digit temperatures in the Farragut area, Knox County Health Department advises the public to take precautions and pay special attention to the elderly, young children and those with chronic conditions. “With overnight lows expected to drop into the single digits, the Knox County Health Department is encouraging everyone to pay special attention to vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly and those with chronic conditions,” Katharine Killen, spokeswoman for KCHD, said. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, it had confirmed 17 weather-related fatalities since Monday, Feb. 16. Of those, seven were hypothermia-related. One of those deaths occurred in Roane County, another in Hamilton County, two in Henry County, one in Sequatchie County, one in Moore County and one in Shelby County. Another death was a 67-year-old male dialysis patient who was unable to get treatment, another was fire-related and the rest of the 11 deaths were due to traffic acci-
dents, according to TEMA. “Although anyone can suffer cold-related health effects, some are at a greater risk,” Killen said. “Respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, can be aggravated by cold temperatures, causing wheezing and difficulty breathing. “Drops in barometric pressure can cause joint inflammation or pain for those with arthritis,” she said. “Exposure to cold weather can also cause blood vessels to constrict, which can result in issues for those with heart conditions. In addition, infants and the elderly are at greater risk for hypothermia.” “Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature,” Dr. Kip Wenger, physician with The University of Tennessee Medical Center Emergency Medicine, said. While normal body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, Wenger said hypothermia occurs as the body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. “Cold winter temperatures can dramatically affect the health of at-risk groups, so we’re encourag-
ing everyone to pay special attention to them over the next few days,” Dr. Martha Buchanan, KCHD director, said. “This is especially important since we’re also experiencing an active flu and cold season, which is often hardest on these same at-risk populations.” Killen advised people should: • Avoid going outdoors. “If you must go outside, wear warm layers and limit exposure to the cold,” she said. • Drink plenty of warm fluids. Killen said if a person has any dietary restrictions to check with his or her doctor. • Watch for warning signs of cold-related illnesses, such as hypothermia or frostbite, which, Wenger said, is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. Wenger advised people to dress appropriately and limit exposure to the cold to avoid both hypothermia and frostbite. “Dress in layers, wear a hat and gloves and use insulated, windproof jackets,” he said. “If your power goes out, in addition to dressing appropriately, utilizing a fireplace or, in some cases, seeking an emergency shelter, may be the best option in times of extended power outages.”
Wenger advised parents to pay close attention to children playing outdoors. “Require them to come inside frequently to get warm again,” he said. “If you know an elderly person, offer them help and check on them frequently through the day.” Wenger said hypothermia is more common in below-freezing temperatures, but it can occur whenever there are cold temperatures. “Prevention is the most important factor for avoiding hypothermia,” he said. “When in doubt, prepare for the worst. “Hypothermia and frostbite are treated by slowly bringing the body’s temperature to a normal temperature,” he said. “Warm blankets, warm air and in severe cases, warm fluids, can be administered through an intravenous infusion.” Wenger said shivering is the most common sign of hypothermia for which to look. “As hypothermia progresses, shivering stops,” he said. “If you begin to shiver, you should remove yourself from the cold and begin to re-warm as soon as possible.” Killen said other symptoms of See AVOID on Page 4B
Be prepared to stay safe and healthy in winter Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous, but if you plan ahead, you can stay safe and healthy. Prepare your home and cars. Prepare for power outages and outdoor activity. Check on the older adults. Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall. Take these steps for your home. Many people prefer to remain indoors in the winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to keep your home safe and warm during the winter months. Winterize your home. Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows. Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls. Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks. Check your heating systems. Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside. Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys. Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly. Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available. Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies. Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the
deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check batteries regularly. Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, nausea, and disorientation. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots. Don’t forget to prepare your car Get your car ready for cold weather use before winter arrives. Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level; check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires. Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer. Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded. Include: blankets; food and water; booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction); compass and maps; flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries; first-aid kit; and plastic bags (for sanitation). When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. Equip in advance for emergencies Be prepared for weatherrelated emergencies, including power outages. Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged. When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. Keep an up-to-date emergency See PREPARED on Page 6B
4B • FARRAGUTPRESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Westbound Kingston Pike Eastbound Old Stage Road
Disasters happen, have a plan ■
TAMMY CHEEK
The best way to survive a winter storm is to be prepared, Michael Clemmons, disaster program manager with American Red Cross in Knoxville, said. “People need to be thinking about disaster before it ever happens,” Clemmons said. “Having a preparedness plan is one of the most important things to have before a disaster happens so they can plan how they are going to react when a disaster occurs,” he said. People should have extra supplies in the house, he said. For instance, Clemmons said people should have flashlights with extra batteries, extra gallons of water, a week’s worth of nonperishable food that doesn’t have to be cooked, extra blankets and safe heating methods, such as fire places and alternate heaters, taking care to use them safely. “And, never run generators indoors because it generates exhaust, which generates carbon monoxide, and you can die from carbon monoxide poisoning,” Clemmons said. “Always put generators outside,” he said. “You can always look up our list of recommended supplies when preparing for a long-term stay in your home,” he said. “A good
place to get the list with the Red Cross is you can go the redcross.org. “The Red Cross also has preparedness apps for smartphones, and they are free of charge,” he said. “[People] enable the location on their smartphone. They need to go to the Play Store on their phone, type in Red Cross and 12 different applications will show up. They can download any of them or all of them for free.” If the power is out and people need assistance, he recommended using the media — a batteryoperated radio or smart phone — to locate available resources in the community such as the American Red Cross or other agencies. “A lot of times we will call the local emergency services, and they will provide the requested emergency transportation,” he said. “Residents can call emergency services directly as well.” The American Red Cross, which serves 13 counties, does not have shelter locations in Farragut, although it does have three shelters available in the immediate area for the Knox, Blount and Roane counties who have emergency need at this time, Clemmons said. “[The counties in need] have to do with the populations affected by the power outages and the power system being able to get
that back on in a timely fashion,” he said. When a person goes to a shelter, Clemmons said he or she would need to bring toiletries, changes of clothing, any medications and communication devices, such as cellular phones, so they can contact family members. For those with pets, Clemmons said, “In some situations, we can sometimes accommodate pets if they shelter partners allow them.” If pets are not allowed, he said there are sometimes agreements with animal shelters. “That varies from area to area,” he said. “And, there are private organizations that will help with that sometimes, but that depends on where it is. That doesn’t exist in every county.” Clemmons said Knox County Red Cross probably sheltered about 60 people during the winter storm. “That’s across four counties,” he added. “We hope to close the Roane County shelter today [Friday, Feb. 20] if our plans allow us to.” Cleemons said he did not have a breakdown of where those people resided. To get other preparedness information go to redcross.com/ The Red Cross also offers preparedness classes.
Generators
Avoid
From page 2B
From page 3B
there’s a need for oxygen,” for example. Calling 9-1-1 about power outages short of having an actual health emergency or pending dangerous situation “does get overwhelming” for the system, Lawson said. Of the roughly 8,000 LCUB customers without power during last week’s storm, at least a few hundred were without power for at least three days starting soon after the storm hit the Knox County metropolitan area around noon Monday, Feb. 16, Littleton said. “Tuesday morning we were telling [customers] it could be Thursday, Friday morning before we get your power on so they could make that type of decision,” Littleton added. “I didn’t want to underestimate, so to speak, and they sit there in a house for two days in a very cold house. “It’s very difficult to give a definitive time when power will be restored. “It becomes so overwhelming when you have literally hundreds, if not thousands of trees that are just falling across power lines. It’s a very slow process to get those trees cleared and get those power lines back up and repaired.”
hypothermia in adults include exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. “If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, you should get out of the cold immediately and begin to re-warm,” Wenger said. “If you’re at home alone, you should try calling a neighbor for help. If necessary, call 911 for help.” If someone sees someone else experiencing symptoms, he said help should be offered immediately. “Death can occur if hypothermia is not treated, and you could lose the areas affected by frostbite” if not treated, Wenger said. Killen said symptoms of hypothermia in infants include cold skin turning bright red and very low energy. “We see a few cases of hypothermia in the cold winter months, but frostbite is uncommon in the Southern climate areas,” Wenger said. Killen said early symptoms of frostbite include red, painful skin. Later, she said someone with frostbite will have yellow or pale skin and skin will feel waxy, firm and numb. “With frostbite, feelings of cold and firmness in the affected area, such as the fingers or toes, are common,” Wenger said. “Stinging, burning and numbness also may
occur. You may experience pain, throbbing, burning or an electric current-like sensation when the affected area is re-warmed.” Another concern during winter weather is carbon monoxide poisoning, possibly from heaters and other sources. She said symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. “If CO poisoning, frostbite or hypothermia are suspected, consult a health care professional immediately,” Killen said. To reduce risk of CO poisoning, she advised: • Making sure indoor heaters are safe and appropriate for your space, following instructions properly and keeping them away from flammable materials. • Checking batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and testing those devices to ensure they are working properly. • Never using a gas range or oven to heat a home. • Not leaving a parked vehicle on in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage. • Never running a motor vehicle, generator or any gasoline-powered engine outside an open window, door or vent, where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area. • Not running a generator or any gasoline-powered engine indoors, even if the doors or windows are
tcheek@farragutpress.com
Unoccupied business on Admiral Road
Photo submitted
The American Red Cross provides preparedness apps for people’s smartphones so they can be prepared for disasters.
Photo submitted
Dr. Kip Wenger, right, an emergency medicine physician at The University of Tennessee Medical Center, instructs Alexander Dawson, a medical student from UT Health Science Center, about Emergency Department patient care.
open. That includes garages, basements or attics. Falling is another cold-weather concern. To avoid falls, Wenger advised avoiding icy spots and wearing appropriate winter footwear. “Try to avoid icy areas at all costs,” he said. “If using stairs, hold on to a handle.” If a person is alone or stranded, Wenger said preparation is the best way to minimize bad situa-
tions. “Ensuring you have a charged and working cell phone, full tank of gas, extra warm clothes and some food in your car will reduce your risks of getting into a not-sogood situation,” he said. Other safety precautions include bringing pets indoors, if possible, or ensuring adequate shelter and bedding to keep them dry and warm and to remember to get a flu vaccine.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
FARRAGUTPRESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 • 5B
Alternative heat sources No generator, no problem: low cost options during power outage
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ALAN SLOAN asloan@farragutpress.com
When planning ahead for a power outage in the winter months, and you’ve ruled out using a generator — either due to expense or fear of carbon monoxide gas — what are the best options? Some of the most popular are natural gas logs, natural gas wall heaters and kerosene heaters. “Some people have what’s called vented logs or vented heaters, and that’s not a problem because it does direct vent outside,” Bob Lambert, president of Tennessee Gas Association and gas division superintendent with Etowah Utilities in McMinn County, said. “But there are also a lot of unvented appliances that a lot of people are using now because they’re a lot more efficient and the heat stays inside. “I’ve actually got a set of unvented logs at my house, but those have safety features built into them,” Lambert added. “If any time the oxygen levels start to get on the low side, they will kick off. It’s called an oxygen depletion switch that is built into the appliance.” However, “The way they’re designed, under normal operating conditions, most of your houses have enough natural ventilation that it would never, ever kick off,” he said. Most houses would only approach the levels where an oxygen depletion switch would come into play with a gas log “with an unbelievably tight house or a house on the small side,” Lambert said. “They’re very safe.” As an alternative to gas logs when the power goes out, Lambert said some of his customers have a natural gas “wall heater” in a room where family members would gather. “You’d be surprised how much heat a 30,000 to 40,000 BTU set of logs or ventless heater will put out. You can heat a lot more than one room with it,” Lambert said. Lambert estimated “20 to 25 percent” of his EU customers choose to heat electrically but use a natural gas tie-in, with logs, as a
#knoxwx From page 3B
worked out really well,” Andrews said. As a member of the Society of Professional Journalists aware of communication challenges, “I went around to all the different news organizations and local government agencies and asked them if they would be interested,” Andrews said. “… Mayor [Madeline] Rogero [City of Knoxville] has implemented it very effectively, Mayor [Tim] Burchett [Knox County] has implemented it very effectively. KPD has implemented it. … [Knox County] Sheriff’s Office is using it.” “We really utilized the hashtag he suggested. … Anyone who’s posting weather-related information utilizing that hashtag can get it in one central place,” Michael Grider, Communications director for Office of Knox County Mayor,
heat back-up. Among his customers who use natural gas as a main heating source, Lambert estimated “20 to 25 percent” of them have gas logs as a power outage back-up. “With an unvented fireplace you don’t even have to put chimneys in. … Just built a little surround around them,” Lambert added. “It makes it very economical, somewhere in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.” Lambert said about 2,300 of his roughly 7,500 EU residential, commercial and non-profit customers use natural gas as their primary heating. The key, in terms of safe operation of natural gas logs, are those that are “direct vent,” M. Shannon Littleton, Lenoir City Utilities Board general manager, said. “There are some [gas logs] that cannot” be used without electricity, Littleton added. “If they have to be power-vented, where electricity is taking the fumes from the burning of the natural gas and vents that to the outside, then that’s a dangerous situation.” If a power-vented gas log were turned on in a power outage, and someone also struck a match to light a candle, “That could be horrific,” Littleton said. “If you don’t know what you have, you need to call someone to gather that information because you could really make some big mistakes and the cause could be fatal.” However, “I would assume that there are some safety features that, if the power’s off on the power vent, the pilot light is going to go off and be unable to light,” Littleton said. “But please, don’t take that as an absolute. Be sure you know what you’re system is and how it operates before you try and use natural gas.” Of the roughly 8,000 LCUB customers without power resulting from last week’s ice and snow, “I would say 30 percent had gas alternate sources [of heat] or a wooden fireplace where they were able to stay warm regardless of whether the power was on or not,” Littleton said. “In some cases they are naturally vented, and some are ventless,
they’re so efficient they don’t vent at all. ... You also need to have some type of battery[-powered] back-up for carbon monoxide detection.” “Kerosene obviously is a good choice, but there’s some dangers
associated with it,” Littleton said about those heaters. “Placing those things too close to combustible materials in the house, where you’ll get a house fire. “Of course, the fumes from those kerosene [heaters] causes issues.”
Alan Lawson, director of Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management Agency, said kerosene heaters “are problematic, there are issues with ventilation. Some people use them, but they wouldn’t be my first choice.”
said. “… We included updates about roadways, about salting and brining operations.” “When I talked to the mayor he said, ‘Yeah, that’s a good idea, let’s start doing it.’ … If we’ve got a road that’s closed or a particularly dangerous spot or something along those lines we want as many people as possible to see it. … It doesn’t cost anything to do it. It takes no additional effort to add that to a tweet. “It’s just a way to take a whole lot of confusing information and centralize it and make it easy to find, easy to filter, easy to dispel.” Though saying “it’s hard to measure” the effectiveness of #knoxwx during the massive power outages and icy roads last week, “I saw the hashtag popping up considerably on different social media outlets,” Grider said. “… I noticed Visit Knoxville would pick it up; I started seeing private individuals using on their Twitter pages. That
shows it’s starting to catch on.” In reference to Knox County Schools being on board, “When Dr. [Jim] McIntyre [Jr., superintendent] tweets out the hashtag, thousands of parents see that hashtag,” Andrews said. “Thousands of students see that hashtag. … Then they use it and then their friends see it and their friends use it.” In fact, “Mayor Rogero started using the hashtag before the storm even came,” Andrews said, adding #knoxwx “won a national award from the Society of Professional Journalists.” Jesse Fox Mayshark, director of Communications for City of Knoxville, said, “We certainly thought it was a good idea because Twitter is useful for lots of things, but one thing we really find it useful for are these kinds of situations, weather situations where things might be changing really quickly. … As we get information from our road crews, police and
fire, whatever, we can get it out really quickly. “… Having that hashtag, people who just want weather news can search by that hashtag and everybody who’s using that, which would be like us, the county, the schools or whatever, they’ll get all those weather updates,” Mayshark added. “… We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback this week about all the communications we’ve put out on Twitter and Facebook and so forth. I know people are receiving the information and they’re finding it useful, and I think that hashtag is one more thing that helps with that and makes it easier for people to find those things.” Based upon “online metrics ratings services” concerning feedback about #knoxwx, “You can see for the [previous] week it was one of the top-trending topics in Knoxville,” Andrews said. However, “I haven’t see any
[response] from town of Farragut,” Andrews added. In getting his hashtag off the ground, “I met with every newspaper, every TV station, every government agency top to bottom. … I had everybody feeling that they were part of it, that was the crucial element of this. “This is a community project, that is what I love about this.” About his motivation to create #knoxwx, Andrews had a simple answer. “I just saw a way to help society,” he said. “What I noticed was you had all these different organizations throwing out information, and it was like a bombardment, it was coming from a million different directions.” Thanks to Andrews’ efforts, The National Weather Service “actually made #knoxwx one of only two in the nation as a weather ambassador program,” he said.
6B • FARRAGUTPRESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Power outage safety ‘top priority’ for KUB ■
TAMMY CHEEK tcheek@farragutpress.com
When winter storms hit and temperatures drop into single digits, from Feb. 16 through Feb. 24 locally (at deadline), the Farragut community faces power outages that could affect their gas service. “[Knoxville Utilities Board] takes safety seriously,” Stephanie Midgett, KUB spokeswoman, said. “Our top priority is providing reliable utility service in a way that is safe for you, our crews and the community. “If you have been without electricity for a extended period of time, it is best to seek alternate shelter right away,” she added. Midgett recommended contacting the American Red Cross to find a shelter, contacting family members or friends who still have electricity or finding a nearby hotel still in service. Even though people have gas fireplaces, there are safety concerns when the power goes out and they have an electric starter on their fireplaces. “KUB recommends that each person checks the owner’s manual for their fireplace or call a licensed heating and air conditioner specialist,” Midgett said, “These situations will vary depending on the manufacturer of the unit,” she added. Likewise, she said the person should check the owner’s manual for the fireplace to see if it is safe
LCUB From page 2B
individual meter that the power is out at that location. “I think at one point we had answered 5,000 phone calls. We
Prepared From page 3B
kit, including: Battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps; extra batteries; first-aid kit and extra medicine; baby items; and cat litter or sand for icy walkways. Protect your family from carbon monoxide. Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement and garage. Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house.
Driving From page 1B
warm stuff in the car and you need to make sure that you have a full tank of fuel. “You need to make sure that you have snacks and drinks and maybe an extra coat. Hopefully, you’ll have a full tank of fuel so that way, you can have some heat while you’re waiting to get help. The best thing to do is stay in the car and keep the doors closed.” Like Moneymaker, Hall said that a little preparation could make a stressful time a bit easier to handle.
to light a gas fireplace by not using the starter. “This will depend on the types of gas appliances a person has in their home,” Midgett said. “Every customer will need to familiarize themselves with the operating procedures for their appliances by consulting their owner's manual or a licensed heating and air conditioning specialist.” If a person smells gas, she said KUB recommends he or she “leave the area [inside or outside] immediately and tell others to leave, too. “Go to a safe location away from any signs of a leak,” Midgett said. “Call KUB at 865-524-2911 right away. We will send a trained technician to perform a free natural gas leak inspection. “For your safety and to help ensure a rapid response, KUB requires that you call instead of reporting natural gas service issues online,” she added. In the event of a gas leak, Midgett said KUB recommends people: • Do not switch on or off any lights or appliances. • Do not use any telephone, including cordless or cellular phones. • Do not use any electrical devices, including appliances, doorbells or garage door openers. • Do not smoke or use matches or lighters. • Do not start or stop a nearby vehicle or machinery.
Knoxville Utilities Board crew work on gas lines in their service areas.
• Do not attempt to turn on or off natural gas valves. • Do not re-enter the building or return to the area until KUB tells you it is safe to do so. “Remember, your personal safety is a top priority,” Midgett said. There are three ways to recognize a gas leak, smell, sound and sight, she said. “You may smell a rotten egg odor,” she said. “KUB adds a distinctive pungent odor to our natural gas supply to help you recog-
nize it quickly.” Customers can request a scratch-and-sniff bill insert, which contains safety information, or pick up a bill insert at a KUB Payment Center, Midgett said. Another sign of a gas leak is the sound of a blowing or hissing sound near a natural gas appliance or a roaring sound near a gas line, she said. And, one may see “bubbling in a wet or flooded area, dry spots in
moist areas or vegetation that is dead or discolored for no apparent reason” or he or she may see flames visible if a leak is ignited, Midgett said. The safety of using a kerosene heater in a home “will depend on the type of kerosene heater an individual has,” she said. “They should check the specifications of their particular heater in the owner’s manual, and follow all manufacturer’s instructions.”
have to utilize a lot of personnel to do that, where [otherwise] we could release some of those folks to get to the field to actually get the power restored,” he added. “If a customer has information about a particular transformer that’s
burning or some lines are burning because they see a tree in the line, we need to know that.” Regardless of what reason a customer calls concerning power issues, however, “That’s the customer’s right, if they want to call
we’ll take their call,” Littleton said. Littleton emphasized that unless your power outage also includes a real emergency, such as serious injury or an imminent threat of harm or danger, do not
call 9-1-1 to report a power outage. “That was eliminating the possibility of getting people in to serve a real, true emergency need,” Littleton said about tying up the 9-1-1 line.
Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds, and call 911. Work slowly when doing outside chores. Take these precautions outdoors Many people spend time outdoors in the winter working, traveling, or enjoying winter sports. Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them: Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots. Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches. Learn safety precautions to
follow when outdoors. Be aware of the wind chill factor. Work slowly when doing outside chores. Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation. Carry a cell phone. Be prepared to check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards. Do this when you plan to travel When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. Avoid traveling when the
“I would say that you should have a car package, for lack of a better term,” Hall said. “You should have a blanket, some jumper cables, snack food, water and a flash light.” AAA spokesman Don Lindsey, like Moneymaker, said that it is important to stay calm after an accident on an icy road. “There’s no question that staying calm is crucial,” Lindsey said. “When you get into the car, and after you’re buckled up, I would advise you to stop and think about what you would do if you were in a skid and still, you might not react the right way but you need to act
out what might happen. “If you’re in a skid, stay off the gas and don’t hit the brakes. You should just steer the wheel into the direction that you want the car to go. By definition, a skid means that you have lost control of the car. Really, the only thing to do is to wait for the car to regain traction.” Lindsey also said that most skids aren’t fatal to the driver and noted that many skids don’t result in injuries. “Most skids don’t result in injury,” he said. “There may be damage to the vehicle. But it’s better to have damage to a vehicle
weather service has issued advisories. If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival. Follow these safety rules if you become stranded in your car. Stay with your car unless safety is no more than 100 yards away, but continue to move arms and legs. Stay visible by putting bright cloth on the antenna, turning on the inside overhead light (when engine is running), and raising the hood when snow stops falling. Run the engine and heater only 10 minutes than to have an injury to you.” While in most skids, damage is minimal; cars do sometimes become submerged after sliding off the road. “When you end up in water, that’s a whole different ball game,” Moneymaker said. “When you go into the water, you better call 911.” Thankfully, such incidents are rare according to Lindsey. “Less than one-half of one percent of skids result in a car going into the water,” Lindsey said. “If you do, I suggest that you get the windows down as soon as possible or the water will get them down
every hour. Keep a downwind window open. Make sure the tailpipe is not blocked. Above all, be prepared to check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate, warm shelter and unfrozen water to drink. No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if you follow these suggestions, you will be ready for it when it comes.
for you. There will probably be some conflicting opinions on that, but eventually, you’ll have to get those windows down if you’re going to get out of the car and out of the water. “You should also keep your [seatbelt] buckled because if you unbuckle, you run the risk of hitting the [steering] wheel and being knocked unconscious.” Driving in wintry weather brings its share of challenges but preparation and maintaining an even keel could mean the difference in a mere accident or one that could lead to severe injury.