Scouts help sickened couple while bringing food

The Associated Press

MARION, Ky. -- A group of Boy Scouts handing out food and water to needy residents in storm-plagued western Kentucky came to the aid of an elderly couple suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Scouts from Troop 30 in Marion were going door-to-door Wednesday in rural Crittenden County when they arrived at a house with a generator sitting near the front door.

Zach Sizemore, a 15-year-old sophomore at Crittenden County High School, said the scouts noticed a woman at the house was lethargic and not making sense.

Sizemore said his first-aid training came in handy when the woman complained about a twitch in her face.

"She said she thought she was having a stroke," said Sizemore.

The couple were taken by ambulance to a hospital. Medical officials determined they had been exposed to carbon monoxide, according to a statement provided by the Emergency Operation Center in Benton, a communications hub for emergency workers.

The dangerous gas has been blamed for several deaths in Kentucky since ice storms cut power to hundreds of thousands of residents. The prime culprit has been the misuse of fuel-powered generators.

The statement did not identify the couple. The author of the statement, Keith Todd, a spokesman for the state Transportation Department, said the couple lived in a rural area and did not have phone service.

Sizemore's father, scout leader Dennis Sizemore, said the couple appeared to be in their 80s.
"If we wouldn't have got there, it could have been worse," Dennis Sizemore said.

The scouts also helped moved the couple's generator away from their house.

Zach Sizemore, who has been scouting for nine years, said he has felt compelled to get out and assist needy neighbors since the storm hit.

"The community has to unite, and I feel if you're able to work, you should," he said.

Dennis Sizemore said the scouts in Crittenden County were not giving out the FEMA-provided meals that contained peanut butter. State officials on Thursday asked residents who received those meals to discard the peanut butter packet due to salmonella concerns.

Historian Underdown writes about storm

Crittenden County's official historian Brenda Underdown, who is a regular columnist for The Crittenden Press printed edition, has written about the recent ice storm on her blog.

Read Forgotten Passages Blog online, click here.

Kenergy Power Update

The power cooperative Kenergy just reported its updated list of outages from around the region. Progress in Crittenden County was a bit slower today with about 100 customers being reconnected. 

We have received NO information from Kentucky Utilities.

As of 3:45 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 5, Kenergy had 22,000 customers remaining without power.

Breakdown by counties:

Caldwell 989
Crittenden 1,200
Daviess 4,900
Hancock 939
Henderson 1,100
Hopkins 3,200
Livingston 18
Lyon 1,600
McLean 1,600
Muhlenburg 7
Ohio 1,450
Union 1,500
Webster 2,000

Local Scouts on WPSD TV tonight

Crittenden County's Boy Scouts will be part of a feature segment on the local relief effort. The Scouts have been going door to door helping people in need. 

The segment will air during the 6 p.m., Channel 6 News broadcast.

Kenergy says work is under way

Kenergy spokesperson Lisa Vincent just announced that the power company is receiving many phone calls and complaints regarding the fact that people are not seeing Kenergy trucks in their areas. 

"We have contractors and rural electric cooperatives from neighboring states working for us. You may not necessarily see a Kenergy vehicle but these crews are working on behalf of Kenergy."

More than 450 crewmen from various states are in the Kenergy service area working on lines.

Kentucky disaster status upgraded

PRESIDENT DECLARES MAJOR DISASTER FOR KENTUCKY

WASHINGTON – The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Kentucky to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and flooding beginning on January 26, 2009, and continuing.

Acting FEMA Administrator Nancy Ward said federal funding is available to commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in Allen, Anderson, Ballard, Barren, Bath, Bourbon, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Bracken, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Campbell, Carlisle, Carroll, Carter, Christian, Clark, Clay, Crittenden, Daviess, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Fayette, Fleming, Floyd, Franklin, Fulton, Garrard, Grant, Graves, Grayson, Green, Greenup, Hardin, Harrison, Hart, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Jessamine, Johnson, Larue, Lawrence, Lee, Lewis, Lincoln, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Madison, Magoffin, Marion, Marshall, Martin, Mason, McCracken, McLean, Meade, Menifee, Mercer, Metcalfe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Nicholas, Ohio, Oldham, Owen, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pendleton, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Todd, Trigg, Union, Warren, Washington, Webster, and Woodford counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties within the commonwealth.

Kim R. Kadesch has been named the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Kadesch said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

KYEM provides storm meals

Frankfort, KY. - Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) Director Gen. John Heltzel announced the state will provide 288,000 additional heater meals for ice storm victims. Gen. Heltzel says Kentucky acquired the meals after being notified of a recall of peanut butter packets contained in emergency meals provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"We want to ensure our residents still struggling to recover from the ice storm have access to meals and there is no disruption of service," said Heltzel. "This is simply being done as a precaution; we have had no reports of anyone becoming ill from meals already distributed."

People who have already received meals containing peanut butter packets are asked to throw away the packets.

The meals acquired by the KYEM will be delivered to distribution points and shelters across Kentucky by Thursday afternoon.

Residents with questions can call 502-607-1600 for more information.

Storm Briefs from Crittenden County

1. Crittenden County Courthouse will reopen on a regular schedules starting Monday, Feb. 9.
2. County debris cleanup: Although there is no guarantee, county officials hold out hope that FEMA or other state agencies will help clean up in the aftermath of the storm. County Judge-Executive Fred Brown says residents can pile up limbs, logs, etc., at least 10 feet from the right-of-way. If a contract is approved by state or federal agencies, the debris will be picked up later. If not, individual residents will be responsible for removal of their own debris. Brown cautions residents to avoid putting debris close to roads or highways that might inhibit large vehicles such as school buses. If debris cleanup is approved at the state or federal level, it could be weeks before debris is removed. For quicker cleanup, remove debris yourself and take it to the county debris dump off Bridwell Loop (the old landfill). There is no charge for debris dumping.
3. Mayor Mickey Alexander says residents may pile debris 10 feet from right-of-ways on city streets and the city will eventually come by and pick up the limbs or logs.
4. The Marion Baptist Church Basement will not be open for youth grades 6-12 Friday, Feb. 6 from 7-11 p.m., due to resources being focused on the public shelter at its Family Life Center. The next Friday night for the Basement will be Friday, Feb. 20.
5. Officials are trying to make arrangements for people staying at the public shelter at Crittenden Elementary School. Those people will moved back to their homes if they have power at their residence. Otherwise, they will likely be moved to the Marion Baptist Church Family Center. No one will be moved without adequate arrangements.
6. School officials plan to start getting their schools back in order this weekend. There will be no school Monday, but there are hopes of starting classes on Tuesday or Wednesday. Officials will clean and conduct a safety sweep of CCES before it is reopened to children.
7. FEMA is providing no individual assistance for people who have had extraordinary expenses due to the storm. In other words, FEMA is not reimbursing anyone for anything such as generators or saws at this time. The only people who qualify for FEMA help are those who had home damage and do not have homeowners insurance.

Kenergy Update Thursday morning

As of Thursday, February 5, at 6 a.m., Kenergy has approximately
22,000 members remaining without power.

Kenergy spokesperson Lisa Vincent said the power company is close to getting the majority of the 3-phase lines back up, which must be done before all secondary lines can be reconnected.

Poles area also an issue. The company has had to reset about 2,000 poles.

Here is breakdown of current power outages by counties:

Breckinridge 2
Caldwell 980
Crittenden 1,300
Daviess 5,200
Hancock 1,032
Henderson 1,100
Hopkins 3,200
Livingston 18
Lyon 1,600
McLean 1,600
Muhlenburg 7
ohio 1,400
Union 1,200
WEbster 1,600

"We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding," Vincent said.

Storm Update: School out Monday

Due to the continued power outages from last week's ice storm, Crittenden County school officials have announced that there will be no classes on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009.

Superintendent Dr. Rachel Yarbrough said that beyond Monday a determination will be made on a "day-to-day basis" on whether school can resume.

CAUTION: Issues with food from freezers

Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) recommends keeping freezers closed to maintain the proper temperature for frozen foods. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours and for 24 hours if the freezer is half full.

DPH cautions that a refrigerator will only hold its temperature for about four hours, meaning food items such as milk, dairy products, meats, eggs and leftovers should be placed in a cooler surrounded by ice if the outage lasts for more than four hours. Dry ice can be used to keep refrigerators cold. If the outage lasts for several days, 50 pounds of dry ice should preserve food in an 18-cubic foot full freezer for two days. (Be careful when handling dry ice. Never touch dry ice with bare hands or breathe its vapors in an enclosed area. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, a gas).

“Situations like this one emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness in the home,” said William Hacker, M.D., DPH commissioner. “Those without power should remember that improperly stored or handled food can lead to foodborne illness, which can be serious and, in some cases, even life-threatening. By following food safety recommendations such illnesses can be prevented.”

The refrigerator temperature should be 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below; the freezer should be 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

“If you are not sure a particular food is cold enough, take its temperature with a food thermometer,” said Dr. Hacker.

When the refrigerator and/or freezer are operating again, follow these guidelines to decide what to do with foods:

1. Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as power is out for no more than four hours.
   
2. Throw out any perishable food in your refrigerator, such as meat, poultry, lunchmeats, fish, dairy products, eggs and any prepared or cooked foods that have been above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for four hours. Bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels under these conditions.
   
3. Fresh fruits and vegetables are safe as long as they are still firm and there is no evidence of mold or sliminess.
   
4. If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, read the temperature when power comes back on. If the appliance thermometer stored in the freezer reads 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
   
5. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine the safety.
   
6. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, it is safe to refreeze.
   
7. Raw meats, poultry, cheese, juices, breads and pastries can be refrozen without losing too much food quality.
   
8. Prepared food, fish, vegetables and fruits in the freezer can be refrozen safely, but food quality may suffer.

“Remember, you can’t rely on appearance or odor of the food to determine if it’s safe,” said Hacker. “Food that has thawed or was held above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four hours should be thrown out because bacteria may multiply to unsafe levels.”

To remove spills and freshen the freezer and refrigerator, DPH recommends washing with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in one quart of warm water. To absorb any lingering odors, place an open box or dish of baking soda in the appliance.

CAUTION: Generators can kill you

The high number of power outages has caused many Crittenden Countians to resort to using alternative heat sources to heat their homes, increasing the possibility for exposure to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. In the last 72 hours, the Kentucky Poison Control Center has received 95 calls to its hotline seeking information on carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Poison Center Director Henry Spiller.

There have been several reports of possible deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and the Poison Center is aware of at least forty Kentuckians who have received treatment at hospitals.

“This is all because of the storm,” said Spiller. “People are using alternative heat sources, which are not always safe. Carbon monoxide poisoning can obviously have extremely serious consequences.”

Items such as portable generators, propane gas stoves, ovens heated with gasoline all have been used as heat sources indoors, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Spiller, along with officials from the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH), advise taking steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning following guidelines from the National Center for Environmental Health.

1. Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement or garage or near a windo
   
2. Don’t run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open.
   
3. Don’t burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t properly vented.
   
4. Don’t heat your house with a gas oven.
   
5. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Carbon monoxide poisoning is treatable.
   
6. Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your home or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall for daylight savings time. If the detector sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911.
   

“Carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly and should be taken seriously,” said William Hacker, M.D., DPH commissioner. “We urge Kentuckians to take steps to prevent exposure to carbon monoxide and avoid heating sources, such as propane heaters and charcoal grills, while indoors. It can be a matter of life or death.”

If you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning or if you have questions, call the Poison Control hot line at (800) 222-1222.

More information about carbon monoxide poisoning can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/co/guidelines.htm.

Electricity Update for Marion

Some electricity is being restored in Marion today. Kentucky Utilities just got Crittenden Hospital energized and the power company is working on other lines in the city.

Judge-Executive Fred Brown says more power in the city will be coming on line by the weekend. Listen to an interview with Judge Brown on the podcast link below.



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Breaking News: Wreck in Dycusburg

A serious head-on collision occurred this morning near Dycusburg.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene. One victim was air lifted from the scene and another was transported via ambulance.

Tuesday Update: Cold Night in Marion

New Shelter: As temperatures drop tonight to near single digits, Marion Baptist Church Family Life Center has opened its doors as a shelter.

The number for the church is 270-965-5232.

Electricity: Increasingly, day by day, more homes have had power restored.

This Week's Paper: We are trying to get this week's version of the newspaper (finished today) uploaded as fast as possible.

Viewer Report 7: Views From Princeton

L.J. Granstaff of Princeton, Ky., shares these photos taken a few days after the storm in Caldwell County. Share your photos, videos and comments by e-mailing matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.

Crittenden Countians Featured in Lead Story on 'CBS Evening News With Katie Couric'

Crittenden County residents Bill and Gwen Wilson were interviewed by CBS Evening News reporter Hari Sreenivasan. The newscast detailed that every National Guard member in Kentucky has been called into service, going door to door to check on those without power.

In Kentucky alone, the CBS report noted, approximately 255,000 homes and businesses remain without power. Gwen was featured using a BBQ grill in her toolshed to cook. Bill is starting to miss the little conveniences like taking a bath. In Crittenden County alone, Sreenivasan said, the ice storm brought down some 300 power poles.

View the report here: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4771173n.

Monday Update: Fire Department Offers Tips, WMJL to Broadcast Soon

Please share these important updates with those in Crittenden County who are without power.

Prevent Surges and Fires: The county fire department as well as power companies are encouraging residents whose power is currently off to flip the main breaker to the “off” position in their home. This action will help guard against fires as these lines are brought back up. When the power is “on,” surges can be created. Once the power on your street or area has been energized, the fire department recommends turning on the main breaker and then circuit breakers a few at a time. Turning them on in a cycle will prevent a surge. There were some incidences of fires during the 2008 ice storm, and clearly the department aims to diminish that risk.

Radio Broadcast Forthcoming: Local Marion station WMJL (broadcast at 102.7 FM and 1500 AM) should be on the air at some point Wednesday afternoon. The station will run an informational loop updated periodically to provide the latest operational updates related to storm clean-up efforts.

Share your updates by e-mailing matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.

Viewer Report 6: Ice Age (cont.)

Rhonda (Porter) McKinney sent these photos. The bottom photo shows her parents' yard. The top photo shows downed power lines. McKinney's photo and a commentary appeared on CNN's iReport: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-205120. Share your photos and video by e-mailing matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.

Viewer Report 6: Ice Age

Rhonda (Porter) McKinney of Nashville, Tenn., shares these photos. The bottom photo was taken down on Hwy 135 between 91 and Crittenden Springs Road. The top pic is along the same stretch of road and shows an electric pole (part still standing and part in a tree). She noted that poles are shattered and broken all over the area. Click the photos for a larger version. Send your photos and updates to matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.