Alliant's Steps To Limit Outages if Ice Storms Hit Eastern Iowa

By Chris Earl, Anchor/Reporter

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By Chris Earl

Story Created: Dec 22, 2009 at 5:54 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 22, 2009 at 6:14 PM CST

With so many people looking to the skies for what's to come, others are also checking the power lines that pierce those skies.

The lines may be free of ice right now -- but if the ice does hit -- that can change in a hurry.

"After 2007, a lot of new lines will withstand the ice and the wind a little bit better," said Scott Drzycimski of Alliant Energy in Cedar Rapids.

Such as the power lines here, near 'F' Avenue and 80th Street SW, west of Cedar Rapids. Drzycimski said there is not much his crews can do right now as they get ready for this week's storm.

For those in the power business, this is a time to keep crews on standby, just in case of the damage, as we saw three winters ago. Power company Mid-American Energy said today they placed their electric operations workers on alert as well.

And if the power does go out...

"We want people to shelter in their homes," said Jennifer Pickar of the Grant Wood Chapter of the American Red Cross in Cedar Rapids. "Flashlights, batteries. No candles for the obvious fire danger and if you have a generator, run it outside."

What if you are leaving town before the storms come? Drzycimski recommends also taking precautions.

"Turn off your electric equipment. You may not see outages as much as you'll see power surges."

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