SEATTLE — High winds are expected across the Puget Sound region Tuesday evening as a bomb cyclone nears the Washington coast, and they could cause widespread power outages.
The highest winds are expected to be on the Eastside, Cascade foothills and Washington coast. Sustained winds of 25 to 40 miles per hour are expected with gusts up to 65 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Emergency management officials recommend preparing for power outages early so you’re ready when the storm moves in. Here are some of their tips.
Charge your phone. Get as much juice in your phone before the power goes out. Lower the brightness, use dark mode and turn off location services to extend the battery life.
Plan backup power sources. Take inventory of what you need for electricity, including batteries, a portable charger or power bank, according to Ready.gov. Consider getting a generator and follow the installation instructions carefully. Be sure to keep the generator outside and run a cord inside.
Check your emergency kit. Make sure you have flashlights for every member of your family and ensure the batteries work. Kits should also contain light sticks, a battery-powered radio and a wind-up clock, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
Have a food plan. Stock up on nonperishable food and water. During an outage, keeping your refrigerator and freezer closed will help keep your food cold, so you’ll want to have provisions available outside the fridge.
Check your garage door. Does your garage door take an electric door opener? Know how to open your garage door by hand in case you have to get it open without power.
Install carbon monoxide detectors. Having a way to monitor the colorless, odorless gas can be a lifesaver during an outage. If you plan to grill or use a camp stove to cook, make sure to use it outside at least 20 feet from your home. Never use a gas stove to heat your home.
Remove dead tree limbs. If you see a hanging branch on a tree on your property arborists recommend removing it to prevent it from falling and causing damage or an outage. However, if the tree is showing signs of stress, like excessive thinning, disease or limb die-off, then it’s time to call an arborist to have them assess the problem.
Disconnect electronics. Once the power goes out, disconnect your appliances and electronics to avoid damage from an electrical surge once the power comes back on.