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Utility companies prepare for potential power outages from winter storm

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mid-Missouri utility companies could have a busy weekend ahead with a weather system possibly bringing ice and snow to the region. Mid-Missouri utilities companies have been preparing their trucks for potential winter weather and power outages this new year's weekend.

ABC 17 Stormtrack meteorologists expect rainfall to begin Friday and temperatures to be at the freezing mark around sunrise on Saturday. The rain will then transition over to snow sometime during the day on Saturday, according to forecasts.

The ice and snow will make roads slick and could drag down power lines, causing outages. A half-inch accumulation of ice on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight, according to The Weather Channel. 

This weight in turn causes outages. A quarter-inch of ice can cause tree limbs to break or snag. ABC 17 News talked to Ameren Missouri, and The City of Columbia Thursday and they are encouraging people to stock up on flashlights, batteries, dress in layers, and keep a blanket close by if they need to withstand a few hours with no power.

Chip Webb with Ameren Missouri encourages people to avoid roads with any powerlines down and call 911 if they notice any are down. the biggest concern for Ameren Missouri is the ice and the damage it can do to the power lines.

 "Really ice is the big issue. Ice will actually collect on our lines, collect on the cross arms, collect on the poles. Its very heavy. It also collects on the trees. The trees you know will fall in, you know fall over into the lines, the lines fall down. Ice is our biggest challenge," said Webb.

Chip Webb, said their trucks are fully loaded with wire, transformers, and all the materials to get power restored quickly. He says they have the staff to handle the weather but if it becomes a burden for their crew, they will make some calls to other agencies.

"It just may delay by a day or two, you know. Obviously, we're not going to stop until we're getting everybody's power back on," said Webb

Experts recommend having non-perishable food available in case of an outage. The Weather Channel suggests freezing containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.

Experts also say to have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours. Matt Nestor, Information Specialist for the City of Columbia said they will clean up any major lines first and then fix other outages.

"We'd try to address the largest outages. So you know if there is a major line that's knocking out power for a thousand people, we're going to try to get that addressed before the little neighborhood knocking out 10 people," said Nestor.

Ameren Missouri and The City of Columbia are encouraging people to stock up on flashlights, batteries, dress in layers, and keep a blanket close by if they need to withstand a few hours with no power.

Ameren Missouri recommends flashlights instead of candles for light because candles can cause fires.

City of Columbia and Ameren says they encourage all customers to keep their eyes on the outage maps to say up to speed on how long the power will be out. Call your local utility provider if you have any concerns.

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Joushua Blount

Joushua Blount hails from Cleveland, Ohio and has a bachelor’s degree in media communications from the University of Toledo. He also has a master’s degree from the University Of Alabama. Roll Tide!

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