Otter Tail Power offers tips for keeping ahead of a storm

Summer storms can cause unpredictable electrical outages. To help its customers and neighbors prepare for severe summer weather, Otter Tail Power Company has storm readiness information posted on its web site, www.otpco.com. There they’ll find suggestions for assembling a storm kit, a summer storm safety guide, and a few brief videos about storm preparation. The web site also directs customers to Twitter, where they can sign up to receive updates from the company during significant outages.

In addition, Otter Tail Power Company’s Safety Services Manager Eric Hamm advises residents and visitors to the area to keep ahead of storms by listening to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio and by checking www.weather.com, commercial radio, and television for the latest heat advisories, storm watches (prepare for severe weather conditions), and storm warnings (severe weather conditions have begun or are about to begin).

A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio should be part of your emergency storm kit. So you'll be more comfortable in the event of a power outage your storm kit also should include:

A flashlight and extra batteries and perhaps candles and matches.

Extra medicine and baby and pet items as appropriate.

First-aid supplies.

Drinking water and nonperishable ready-to-eat food. Don’t forget a manual can opener.

Blankets.

Bathroom items.

Work gloves, duct tape, and small tools.

A list of phone numbers and addresses of emergency services and shelters, physicians, insurance representatives, family, and friends. Remember to grab your cell phone (and a charger for when power is restored). Cordless phones don’t work during power outages.

“Make sure everyone in your family knows where the emergency storm kit is kept,” adds Hamm.

This news release is posted on our web site: https://www.otpco.com/NewsInformation/NewsReleases/Pages/default.aspx.

Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It provides electricity and energy services to more than a quarter million people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. To learn more about Otter Tail Power Company visit www.otpco.com. To learn more about Otter Tail Corporation visit www.ottertail.com.

Tags: news, updates, power, electricity