By Andrea Vasquez
Despite various icy weather concerns the East Mountains community voiced, Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative (CNMEC) announced a scheduled outage from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The scheduled power outage will occur on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and is said to be necessary to switch members in the Coron, Cedarvale, Duran, White Oaks, Ancho and surrounding communities.
Preparation tips for the outage include:
- Gather emergency supplies such as flashlights, batteries, non-perishable foods, bottled water, medications and a first aid kit.
- Consult your healthcare provider if you rely on power-dependant devices to create a plan during the outage.
- Investing in a generator for critical appliances could be a good idea. However, following the manufacturer’s guidelines is important to ensure its safety.
- A full freezer will keep its temperature for approximately 48 hours, so it is vital to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
- Gas stoves or ovens can produce carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills could be a good alternative for outdoor use at least 20 feet away from windows.
- It is also recommended that appliances and electronics be disconnected to prevent damage from electrical surges once the power is back.
After the outage, checking perishable foods for spoilage and reconnecting and powering appliances one at a time to avoid overloading the circuits is crucial.
These steps by Ready.gov will ensure safety and comfort during the power outage scheduled by CNMEC.
CNMEC apologized for the inconvenience through their social media accounts and thanked the public for their patience in preventing further outages this winter.