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VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY

Vermont Emergency Management
Encourages Residents to Prepare for Snow/Winds

WATERBURY, VT— Because of a prediction of wet snow, freezing rain, and high winds, Vermont Emergency Management is encouraging all Vermonters to prepare for adverse conditions and possible power outages. The National Weather Service says there is a possibility of snow, freezing rain, and rain starting overnight Monday into Tuesday evening. These conditions are expected to be followed by heavy winds with gusts up to 50-miles-per-hour, particularly along the western slopes of the Green Mountains.

Vermont Emergency Management reminds homeowners to prepare for power outages in these storms; have flashlights, battery-powered radios, and extra batteries on hand. Additionally, having extra bottled water and canned goods on hand is always advisable. If possible, monitor TV and radio stations for updates from the National Weather Service.

Those who operate generators during outages, or any time, are reminded to operate in accordance with your owner’s manual and ensure the generator is properly installed. An improperly installed generator can feed back onto power lines, posing a risk of electrocution to line workers. Generators should never be operated indoors and should always be run in well ventilated areas.

Downed power lines should never be touched as a live wire can cause electrocution. All wires should be treated as live, and any trees or branches that are touching power lines should also be avoided.

Those with special needs should contact their local utility or emergency response agency to alert them to those needs if you have not previously done so.

Press releases will be distributed as needed; as always your cooperation in helping us inform the public is appreciated. For more information, the media can call Mark Bosma at Vermont Emergency Management at 800-347-0488.