NJ power outage: I lost power to home. What do I do in my house?
The first steps: Confirm that the power is really out by checking for tripped breakers. Then call the utility company to report the outage.
(This story was updated with new information.)
A line of thunderstorms pushed across Iowa, leaving thousands of MidAmerican Energy customers without power.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued in some parts of northern and southwestern Iowa from late Sunday, July 27, through the morning hours of Monday, July 28, but storms stayed below those limits in the Des Moines area. Rainfall totals of more than an inch were reported across the northern half of the state.
MidAmerican Energy: Power outages mostly restored in Iowa
MidAmerican Energy reported nearly 26,000 customers in the Des Moines area without power shortly after storms hit in the early morning hours. By 6:50 a.m., that number was down to 17,300.
As of 3 p.m., most customers had power restored, with just 314 customers statewide still without power. That included around 80 customers in the Des Moines area. About 150 customers in Council Bluffs were offline from an outage that started around 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Des Moines Police: Morning commuters may face road blockages, traffic lights out
Those driving, biking and walking in Des Moines this morning may encounter delays, the Des Moines Police said in a news release. Detours due to power outages and downed trees and limbs are possible. Drivers are encouraged to stay alert and approach intersections with caution, according to DMPD.
Some intersections may be without traffic lights. Any lights not working should be treated as a four-way stop.
Major roadways and intersections where Des Moines police reported problems include:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Ingersoll Avenue
- Fleur Drive and Highview Drive (Des Moines International Airport Entrance)
- Grand Avenue from 17th Street to 42nd Street
- Southwest Ninth Street and Army Post Road (lane reductions due to a downed tree)
What are the rainfall totals in Des Moines?
Des Moines received 0.44 inches of rain overnight Sunday, July 27, to early morning Monday, July 28.
Ankeny reported 0.30 inches of rain during the same time and farther north, Ames had 1.03 inches of rain.
What are the highest rainfall totals in Iowa?
The places with the highest rainfall totals across Iowa from Sunday, July 27, to Monday, July 28:
- Sheldon: 1.19 inches
- Estherville: 1.16 inches
- Spencer: 1.16 inches
- Ames: 1.03 inches
- Sioux County: 0.89 inches
How long is food good in the fridge without power?
The Food and Drug Administration says that even with the refrigerator door shut, you should “discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers after four hours without power.”
Be sure to write down when the power went off so you can keep track of how long your fridge has been off. Keep both the refrigerator and freezer doors closed for as long as you can to maintain the temperature.
How long is food good in the freezer without power?
A full freezer will keep food safe for almost 48 hours if the door remains closed. If the freezer is half full, reduce that time to 24 hours. If thawed food doesn’t exceed 41 degrees for more than an hour, it can be refrozen, according to the Iowa Department of Inspection, Appeals and Licensing.
