Weather Preparedness

Prepare Before Severe Weather

Being prepared before a storm arrives can help keep your family safe and minimize disruptions.

Be Ready

Stay informed: Sign up for the Wasco County Citizen Alert Emergency Notification System to receive timely notifications about wildfires, severe weather, evacuations, road closures, and other local emergencies by text, email, or phone so you can respond quickly when conditions change. You can also follow Wasco Electric Cooperative’s Facebook page for outage updates, safety information, and important community announcements.
Know how to reach us: Keep our number handy. We suggest programing our number into your cell phone 541-296-2740.
Clear hazards: Trim branches near your home and secure outdoor items.
Have a communications plan: Keep a paper backup of key contacts and details.

Emergency Preparedness Basics

Build a Home Emergency Kit

Having supplies ready at home can keep you self-sufficient for days if help is delayed:

Store items like water, food, radio, flashlights, first-aid supplies, extra batteries, sanitation items, tools, maps, and charging gear all in one go-to container.
Customize for your needs: Include medications, pet supplies, extra clothes, important documents (stored digitally or in a waterproof container), and cash as needed.
Maintain your kit: Replace expired items and reassess them annually.

Family Emergency Plan

Create a family emergency plan. Include:

Meeting locations
Evacuation routes
Key documents: digital or physical copies of IDs, insurance, emergency contacts, and medical records.
Prepare for every household member: Include provisions for pets, seniors, and individuals with special needs.

Medical Needs

Plan ahead for any medical devices or equipment that require electricity. Know how long your battery backups will last and identify where you can go for backup power or refrigeration if needed. If someone in your home relies on medical equipment, ensure you have a safe generator setup and keep an appropriate supply of fuel on hand.

Storm Readiness

When a storm is in the forecast, taking a few simple steps ahead of time can help keep your household safe and prepared.

Fill your vehicle’s fuel tank or charge your EV battery. Make sure you’re ready in case travel becomes necessary or charging options are limited.
Stock up on essentials. Keep an adequate supply of drinking water and non-perishable food on hand in case you need to stay home for several days.
Refill prescriptions. Ensure all necessary medications are available and easy to access.
Charge devices early. Fully charge cell phones, tablets, and backup power banks before conditions worsen.
Prepare backup lighting. Keep extra batteries available for flashlights and other essential devices.
Plan for indoor comfort. Gather in one room when possible and dress in warm layers to conserve heat or maintain comfort during outages.
Prepare heating alternatives safely. If you use a fireplace or wood stove, have seasoned firewood ready and follow all safety guidelines.
Plan for pets. Make sure pets have food, water, shelter, and any needed supplies.
Set up quiet activities. Have books, games, or other low-energy activities ready to help keep children comfortable and occupied.

Once severe weather arrives, focus on staying safe and conserving resources.

Stay indoors. Avoid unnecessary travel and remain inside until conditions improve and local officials say it is safe to go out.
Conserve heat or cooling. Keep doors and windows closed to maintain indoor temperatures, and avoid opening refrigerators or freezers more than necessary.
Follow alerts and updates. Monitor local emergency notifications, weather reports, and Wasco Electric communications for changing conditions and outage information.
Stay together in one room. Gather family members in a single, comfortable room to help retain warmth in winter or stay cool more efficiently in summer.
Use flashlights instead of candles. Battery-powered lighting reduces the risk of fire during an outage.
Keep phones charged. Limit nonessential use to preserve battery life for emergency communications.
Check on neighbors. If it is safe to do so, make sure older adults, people with disabilities, and others who may need assistance are okay.
Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume they are energized and dangerous. Keep yourself, children, and pets far away and report them immediately.

Summer Preparedness

Staying Safe and Cool During a Storm or Outage

Hot weather can become dangerous during an extended outage. Take steps to stay cool and protect yourself and those around you.

Keep doors, windows, and blinds closed to help your home stay cooler.
Stay cool by using battery-powered fans or cool, damp cloths to reduce body heat.
Dress light: wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
Find refuge if needed: if temperatures become unsafe, go to a local cooling center or another air-conditioned location.
Check on older adults, young children, neighbors, and anyone with medical needs.

Summer Emergency Kit for Your Car

Keep these essentials in your vehicle in case you’re stranded or delayed:

Drinking water (at least 1 gallon per person per day) and non-perishable snacks
Flashlight with extra batteries
First-aid kit and necessary medications
Cell phone charger and backup battery pack
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Paper maps
Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, and other personal sanitation supplies

Winter Preparedness

Staying Safe and Warm During a Storm or Outage

Winter storms can bring extreme cold, power outages, and hazardous conditions. Preparing your home and family ahead of time can help you stay safe, warm, and comfortable throughout the season.

Preparing Your Home for Winter

Seal air leaks: Use weatherstripping and caulk around windows, doors, and vents to keep warm air inside and reduce heating costs.
Inspect your heating system: Schedule a professional check-up for your furnace or heat pump to ensure it’s working efficiently.
Clean and replace filters: A clogged air filter makes your heating system work harder, increasing energy costs.
Prevent pipe freezing: Insulate exposed pipes and let faucets drip slightly during freezing temperatures to prevent bursting.
Check your fireplace & chimney: Ensure your damper is closed when not in use to prevent heat loss.

Electrical Safety During Winter

Use space heaters safely: Keep them at least 3 feet away from flammable materials, and plug them directly into wall outlets.
Avoid overloading circuits: Only plug one high-wattage appliance into an outlet at a time.
Be cautious with generators: Always operate generators outdoors, away from windows and vents, and never plug them into home outlets directly.
Prepare for power outages: Keep flashlights, extra batteries, and a battery-powered radio ready.

Winter Emergency Kit for Your Car