March 11, 2022
NOTICE TO WEC MEMBERS
Washington Electric Cooperative is warning members of a winter storm beginning Friday, March 11, 2022 and lasting through Saturday, March 12, 2022. CLICK HERE for guidance on how to prepare for power outages.
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies. If you need other help, call 211 to find any emergency resource you need: fuel, food, shelter, mental health, and anything else. Your safety is the priority.
Snowfall: Total snow accumulations between 6 – 13”. Heavy, wet snow will begin late Friday night, turning lighter and fluffier by midday on Saturday. Snowfall rates of up to 1” per hour possible late Saturday morning. Snow should taper off and end by Sunday morning.
Wind Gusts: Wind gusts between 35 – 45 mph expected to begin Saturday afternoon and continue overnight. Combined with the heavy, wet snow, these winds have the potential to cause power outages throughout WEC territory. Remember: If you see lines down, do not touch or approach them. They could still be energized. Please report any downed wires or trees by calling us immediately at 802-223-5245 or 1-800-932-5245.
Travel Conditions: Travel conditions on Saturday night may be hazardous due to low visibility and wet snow. Use caution if you must travel, and be sure to have a blanket, food, flashlight, and water in your vehicle in case of emergency.
While WEC has experienced few large-scale outages this winter, members should be prepared for outages this weekend. Have plenty of water, non-perishable food for both you and any pets, warm clothing and blankets, fuel and/or firewood, candles and flashlights, batteries, and any backup power sources ready. Ensure any livestock are warm and secured with food and water. Tie down or stow anything outside that could blow away. If you need to relocate for a couple of days, make those plans now. If you have neighbors who might need assistance, get in touch and check on them.
Helpful Links
- Call 211 to find any emergency resource you need: food, mental health, fuel, shelter, and anything else. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
- If you are in danger of running out of fuel, call the toll-free Emergency Fuel Assistance number: 1-800-479-6151
- For food, housing, weatherization, and other services, contact your local Community Action Agency: either Capstone (capstonevt.org) or Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA, nekca.org)
- If you need help paying your WEC bill, call Member Services: 802-223-5245 or 1-800-932-5245
See the National Weather Service for detailed daily forecasts and official weather alerts. Find the current Winter Storm Warning HERE.
Please be advised that WEC has taken the necessary protection measures within the COVID-19 guidelines to be prepared for outage events.