\

For immediate release:
March 16, 2021

San Isabel Electric is monitoring snow and wind forecasts as another low-pressure system heads towards southern Colorado’s I-25 corridor and SIEA’s service area Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16 and 17. Depending on the storm’s track, the National Weather Service is calling for a possible five to 10 inches of snow and possible wind gusts between 30 and 60 miles per hour in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties.  The highest possibility of near-blizzard- or white-out conditions is in Las Animas County Wednesday morning. The impact is expected to be less severe in Pueblo County.

According to San Isabel Electric spokesperson Paris Elliott, “Our biggest threats are the wind combined with heavy wet snow, that could bring down trees, limbs and power lines. If we have downed lines in remote areas, members could face prolonged power outages not just in remote area, but also in urban areas. A large majority of our lines and equipment that feed power to urban areas, are in remote difficult to access terrain,” Elliott said.

Elliott also added, “San Isabel Electric is tracking the weather and we are actively preparing by readying trucks, parts and equipment to address possible weather-related outages.”

Stay safe. While playing or working in the snow, keep an eye out for downed power lines. Never touch or attempt to pick up a fallen power line and keep children and pets away.

Stay connected. If the power goes out, report it online, text OUT to SMTHUB (768482) or call 800-279-SIEA (7432). For outage information in your area, stay connected by visiting our outage map at SIEA.com. Status updates are also posted on SIEA.com for large outages that are affecting more than 100 meters. Updates for large outages are posted every two hours between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Members can get more information about outage reporting and preparedness at siea.com/safety.

San Isabel Electric’s outage restoration policy is to make repairs that will restore service to the most people in the least amount of time. Transmission lines and substations are repaired first, followed by distribution lines that feed neighborhoods. Tap lines and individual service lines are then repaired to restore power to customers who may still be without electricity.

During outages, we appreciate your patience as we work to restore power as quickly as safely possible.

San Isabel Electric is a cooperative utility, owned by a group of member-owners, that together provide electricity in remote, rural areas where larger, investor-owned utilities don’t find it profitable enough to serve.

A large portion of San Isabel Electric’s lines and equipment are in remote-rural areas or in rugged-terrain, not accessible by roads. These areas are difficult to access during good weather and even more difficult to access during inclement weather. Lineworkers often face arduous weather and road conditions making their job more difficult and dangerous.

The following is a list of helpful tips for members.

  • If someone in your household depends on electricity to operate life support systems, make plans for alternate sources of power or alternate lodging.
  • If you plan to use a portable generator, use extension cords to connect what you want to power directly to the generator. Place your generator outside, not in an attic, crawl space, or basement. Carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly. Make sure your generator is connected safely; a generator that is not connected safely can cause serious injury or death. When your power comes back on, turn off and disconnect your generator immediately.
  • Keep flashlights and fresh batteries on hand. Lanterns and candles are not recommended because they can cause fires.
  • Never touch downed power lines or attempt to remove trees from power lines. Contact with live lines may result in serious injury or death. Let qualified San Isabel Electric crews handle the clearing and repair work. Please report downed power lines to San Isabel Electric immediately by calling 1-800-279-7432 or by calling 911.
  • Stock nonperishable foods and keep a manual can opener handy. The ideal choices are foods that require no cooking, such as fruit, canned tuna, peanut butter, crackers, cereals, cereal bars, canned soup, and bread.
  • Do not stock your refrigerator or freezer with foods that may perish during a power outage.
  • If you plan to use a charcoal or gas grill for cooking, keep the grill outdoors.
  • If your water at home is supplied by a well, store extra water in clean jugs, bathtubs, or laundry tubs.
  • Keep a battery-powered radio with fresh batteries and stay tuned to local news bulletins and weather reports.
  • Make sure that you have a standard or mobile phone available. Cordless phones do not work without electricity.
  • If you use a mobile phone or tablet, keep a charged power bank handy or use an auto adapter to recharge your mobile device.
  • Keep your automobile gas tank above half full.
  • Keep fresh batteries in your smoke detectors.
  • Open the freezer and refrigerator as little as possible. This will help food stay fresh longer.
  • Make sure the oven and stove are off to prevent fires if the power comes back on while you’re away.

###

As a not-for-profit cooperative utility, San Isabel Electric provides affordable, reliable electricity with exceptional service to communities throughout southern Colorado. Serving nearly 20,000 Member-owners and 24,000 meters, San Isabel Electric has been keeping the lights on since 1938. We don’t just serve communities. We are part of communities.