British Colombians confuse pandemic preparedness with power failure readiness – BC News

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One positive that residents can draw from the COVID-19 pandemic is that more people are being fueled and prepared for power outages, despite the fact that most don’t have a kit or contingency plan.

A new survey from BC Hydro shows that nearly 20% of BC residents think they are better prepared for winter storms this year due to COVID-19. This sense of preparation comes from stocking up on household supplies like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, groceries, and alcohol, which 44% indicate they have.

BC Hydro’s new report shows that the severity and frequency of storms causing damage to the electrical system are increasing. The data shows a 117% increase in such storms from 52 in 2014 to an average of 113 over the past three years.

Half of British Colombians will not go to public places due to the global crisis, but even if more residents stay at home, more than half do not have an emergency preparedness kit. About 30% also admitted that they had not taken any steps to prepare for an outage.

The report also found that BC residents have three main concerns: two-thirds worry about the deterioration of food in the refrigerator or freezer; 16% worry about being cold; and nearly 10% worry about cell phone death.

To prepare for a unique storm season this year, BC Hydro recommends:

• Be prepared: Have an emergency preparedness kit that will last at least 72 hours. The kit should include a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, a flashlight and batteries, and a battery pack for your cell phone, among other things.
• Have a Plan: Make a plan for your family.
• Stay Safe: A broken line is an emergency and customers should stand at least 10 meters back and call 9-1-1 immediately if they encounter one.