Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Evergy and the City of Kansas City are urging residents to conserve electricity during this record-smashing cold front to stave off the need for rolling blackouts.
High power consumption levels across the grid early this week have the potential to cause intermittent service disruptions as a result of system overload. Temperatures are expected to slowly climb throughout the week, but may remain below freezing until the weekend. Kansas City remains under a winter weather advisory until Wednesday evening.
Kansas City Emergency Management recommends radios, flashlights and other portable electronics have batteries and cell phones remain charged. Ensure that water pipes are protected (run the water slowly, wrap in blankets, open cabinets, etc.). Stop up drafts around doors and windows. Remember, generators and wood/charcoal grills should not be used indoors.
There are a number of steps anyone can take immediately in order to reduce their household’s demand on the grid.
Limit the use of other appliances such as laundry or running a dishwasher.
Use smaller kitchen appliances like toaster ovens, microwaves, slow-cookers, etc. to make meals rather than relying on your range or oven.
Turn down your thermostat a few degrees and use a blanket or warm clothing to help conserve and stay warm.
Turn off and unplug space heaters you don’t need to use. Be mindful of the amount of time you utilize a space heater and reduce it, if possible.
Keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use.
Unplug/turn off unused electronics, chargers, and lights.
According to a statement issued Monday, Platte-Clay is taking an all hands on deck approach to resolving outages as quickly as possible and is working with power generation and transmission partners to reduce the impact of the extreme weather event.
On Tuesday, Kansas City announced the weather will impact city services throughout the week. Due to frigid temperatures, road conditions and crews’ safety, KC residents should expect delays with trash and recycling this week. Some other city services are cancelled or delayed.
Trash and recycling collection may be delayed or slowed so that workers can take warming breaks.
“This (Tuesday) is the 12th straight day of having city crews removing snow for nearly 24 hours a day,” according to the city. “Over 350 employees from public works, solid waste, parks and recreation and water have been involved in snow operations, so please be patient as they work in extreme conditions.”
Exterior lights at city hall and other city buildings have been turned off for the rest of the week to conserve electricity and the city has requested that other downtown buildings keep the skyline dark at night.
Be informed with other tips from ready.gov and preparemetrokc.org.