Utility Failure
Any disruption in the services necessary for the safe and continued operation of a residence, business, or essential community service.
Water
Loss of water can be a detriment to our daily lives. Without access to clean, potable water we lose the ability to shower, drink, wash clothes, and even flush our toilet. Local utility companies understand the importance that water plays in our lives and will work quickly on restoring function. Until they have restored accessibility, bottled water is one alternative. Once function is restored it is recommended to run possibly contaminated water from your water lines. You should also be aware of boil water advisories. During these advisories make sure you boil your water thoroughly before bathing or washing dishes. It is recommended to avoid drinking water during a boil water advisory and use bottled water instead, though if you are in a pinch make sure you bring your water to a rolling boil for 1-3 minutes. If you notice a change in your water pressure or air in your water lines coming through your faucet, make sure to notify your local provider. Causes of water failure could be a main line break, contamination, or a collapse due to old infrastructure.
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Sewer
A failure of sewage can lead to possible health and safety problems. If there has been a rupture somewhere in the line, contaminated water could leech into public waterways, spreading disease causing bacteria. A collapse could cause a back up, leaving what you flush with nowhere to go but back up into your home or business. This too can lead to harmful bacteria becoming present in your home. During heavy flood events combined sewage overflows (CSOs) occur, causing sewage to leach out into waterways or back into your home. If you can smell an overwhelming scent of sewage you should notify your local service provider to rectify the problem.
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Electric
With strong wind, heavy rain, and snowfall that affect trees near powerlines, West Virginia is no stranger to power outages. If you experience a power outage, notify AEP and inform them of the outage so that they can respond to fix the problem. By staying up to date on local weather you may be able to be better prepared for possible power outages. In an event of a power outage try and make sure you have charged your mobile phone prior to the event. Ensure that you have a flashlight and/or candles, batteries, non-perishable food, and water. If it is during winter months you want to ensure that you have plenty of warm blankets and clothing. The use of a propane stove or grill can also be used for cooking food or boiling water; however, make sure that you operate such devices outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Gas
A gas leak can become a serious problem if not dealt with in a timely manner, leading to health concerns like carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, and explosion. The main indicator of a gas leak is the smell, which is due to an additive that causes natural gas to have a distinct sulfur-like “rotten egg” smell. If you are somewhere that uses natural gas and you smell this smell you should contact the local provider immediately. You should also avoid any kind of open flame such as a lighter or cigarettes in areas where you can smell natural gas.
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Communications
Most of us are not as affected by phone line outages as we once were due to mobile devices; however, many still do use landline phones in their homes and businesses. There is also the risk of losing internet service if utility lines become damaged. These incidents will likely be caused by severe weather effects such as a rain/snow storm or high winds. If you lose your communication service and have means to notify your provider through the use of a mobile device, do so immediately.