Power still off for many local residents

VW County EMA information

Although progress is being made every day, there still a significant number of Van Wert County residents without power, according to local electric utility companies. Widespread power outages continue in large portions of Van Wert County. According to AEP’s website, outages have effected over 600,000 customers in Ohio and service has been restored to nearly a third of those. In some areas service will remain off for another 2-4 days.

In Van Wert County, approximately 50 percent of AEP customers have been restored. Midwest Electric has yet to restore service to 96 customers, while DP&L is reporting no outages in Van Wert County. Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative has 1,100 without power. Service was to be restored to Venedocia on Monday, as well as half of Middle Point. Convoy and Ohio City may have received partial service late Monday. Restoration in rural areas may still be as far away as Friday or Saturday.

Those who have Midwest Electric can get updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MidwestElectric. AEP customers who want to know how restoration efforts are faring can go to www.aepohio.com/outages and then click on the ”View Outage Map” link under the map section on the page. To get more specific county information, click on a specific county on the map.

The Van Wert Council on Aging announced Tuesday that it’s telephone is down and the agency cannot receive telephone calls. However, emails can still be checked, so those needing to contact the agency can email it at vwaging@earthlink.net.

Generator safety

Residents are reminded that operating generators should be placed outside while running. Do not attempt to connect power from a generator to a breaker box unless done by a certified electrician. Do not refuel a running generator, stop the motor and allow it to cool.

Water and food

County residents who need large quantities of water can come to the Van Wert City fresh water treatment plant on US 127 South with their own bulk tank and purchase water for $6 for 1,000 gallons. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Van Wert Jobs and Family Services has announced that clients from Van Wert and Paulding Counties, who received food assistance in the month of June are eligible to apply for spoiled food reimbursement through an application process. Applications may be picked up at the JFS Office.

The Van Wert chapter of the American Red Cross continues to operate an emergency shelter at the Van Wert Middle School, 10708 Ohio 118. Those who need assistance should arrive at the shelter with their own medication, clothes, pillow and blanket. Showers will be available and residents should bring their own soap, towels and other hygiene items. Pets will not be permitted in the shelter. Those who have no means to get to the shelter can contact the Van Wert Emergency Management Agency at 419.238.1300. People who need small quantities of water can obtain them at the shelter. Those seeking water should provide their own container and receive no more then 25 gallons.

Debris removal

Van Wert city and Van Wert County crews with be picking up tree and brush debris. Residents should place debris for removal along curbs or at the side of the road.

What to do when the refrigerator fails

When power goes off in the refrigerator, one can normally expect food inside to stay safely cold for four to six hours, depending on how warm a kitchen is.

• Add block ice to the refrigerator if the electricity is off longer than four to six hours. As this ice melts, the water may saturate food packages. Be sure to keep packages out of the water as it drains.
• High-protein foods (dairy products, meat, fish, poultry) should be consumed as soon as possible if power is not restored immediately. They cannot be stored safely at room temperature.
• Fruits and vegetables can be kept safely at room temperature until there are obvious signs of spoilage (slime, mold, wilt). In fact, with good ventilation, vegetables will last longer at room temperature. Remove them from the refrigerator if electrical service may not resume soon.

What to do when the freezer fails

When the electricity is off, a fully stocked freezer will keep food frozen two days if the door remains closed. A half-full freezer can keep foods frozen about one day. What can one do if electric service will not be reconnected within one or two days?

• Keep the freezer door closed.
• If friends have electricity, divide frozen foods among their freezers.
• Seek freezer space in a store, church, school, or commercial meat locker or freezer that has electrical service.
• Know where one can buy dry and block ice. Dry ice freezes everything it touches; 25 pounds of it will keep a 10-cubic-foot freezer below freezing for three to four days. When using dry ice, though, be sure to take several precautions. Never touch dry ice with bare hands! Also, people should not stick their headd into a freezer that contains dry ice. It gives off carbon dioxide, which replaces oxygen, so leave the door open a short time before examining food.

Food donation

The Salvation Army is accepting food donations at its South Washington Street location. The Salvation Army is in particular looking for peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna, cereals and canned pork and beans. Items will be accepted until 3 p.m. at the office and until 6 p.m. at the thrift store.

Van Wert County Health Department has been making contact with subscribers to their internet service called “Saving Minutes”. This service is a web based list of persons in the Van Wert area that are a health risk in the event of some type of wide spread emergency situation. Those who think they may qualify should enroll at www.vanwertcountyhealth.org