Image courtesy of Entergy
The severe winter weather impacting a large portion of Mississippi is already causing power outages.
As of early Tuesday morning, poweroutage.us is showing over 36,000 outages with that number likely to fluctuate throughout the next several days.
Outage maps for specific companies can be seen here:
While the outages could last for varying degrees of time, Entergy provided the following suggestions for how to prepare an emergency kit for an outage:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
- Cellphone with charger, inverter or solar charger.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- First aid kit with emergency reference material, such as a first aid book.
- Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
- Personal hygiene items including feminine supplies.
- Matches in a waterproof container.
- Paper towels, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils or mess kits.
- Cash or traveler’s checks and change.
- Paper and pencil.
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
- Whistle to signal for help.
- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
- Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Local maps.
- Prescription medications and glasses.
- Infant formula and diapers.
- Pet food and extra water for your pet.
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
