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.

Monday Update: Power and Water Progress

Electricity: The local emergency management officials in Crittenden County spoke on the phone with last night with Kentucky Utilities. Based on that, emergency management officials in Marion are creating a strategic plan to deal with power in the city for the rest of the week. Meanwhile, Kenergy is making marked progress in the county, working with several out-of-state crews.

Water: The boil water for Marion has been lifted (excepting Briarwood Subdivision). That subdivision should boil water until further notice.

Have updates to share? E-mail matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.

Insult to Injury: Phil Predicts More Bad Weather

The Groundhog Club reports that the prognosticator of all prognosticators, Puxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today in Puxsutawney, Pa., thus predicting six more weeks of winter.

Just what Crittenden County doesn't need! Darned groundhog!

Electricity Update: Progress in County

Some residents in the Rosebud, Piney Fork and Shady Grove areas are enjoying electricity tonight.

Marion is reportedly looking at getting some restoration in the next 1-2 days.

If you have any updates, e-mail matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.

Extension Agent Offers Safety Tips

Nancy Hunt, Crittenden County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Services wrote and said: "This is information from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service. They have more experience in the situations we are facing in Crittenden County and the surrounding areas."

Disinfecting Water
Unless you are absolutely certain your water supply is not contaminated, purify all water before using it for drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. If the water contains sediment or floating material, strain it through a cloth before purifying it. If you have access to heat or power, water can be made safe by boiling. If not, you will have to treat it with chemicals.

Boiling (preferred method): Boil water at a rolling boil for 10 minutes to kill any disease-causing bacteria.

Chemical treatment: If you can't boil water, chemical treatment will kill most disease-causing organisms. Any of the following three chemical treatments will purify water.

Chlorine bleach. Household bleach is a good disinfectant for water. Before using, check the label to be sure hypochlorite is the only active ingredient in the bleach. Do not use bleach that contains soap. Since the amount of chlorine in bleach is variable, use the following table to determine the appropriate amount needed to purify water. Mix the bleach thoroughly in the water, and let it stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn't, repeat the dose and let the water stand for an additional 15 minutes.

Percentage Chlorine
1%: 40 drops per gallon of water
2 to 6%: 8 drops per gallon of water
7 to 10%: 4 drops per gallon of water

Iodine. Household iodine from the medicine cabinet will purify water. The iodine should be 2 percent United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) strength. Add 20 drops per gallon of clear water and 40 drops per gallon of cloudy water.

Water purification tablets. Water purification tablets will also purify water. These tablets are available at drug stores. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Water From the Hot Water Heater
Your hot water heater or water pressure tank could supply many gallons of safe water during an emergency. Before using water from the water heater, switch off the gas or electricity that heats the water. Leaving the power on while the heater is empty could cause an explosion or burn out the elements. After turning off the power source, open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Do not turn the water heater on again until the water system is back in service. Boiled water stored in sterilized containers will keep for six months to one year.

Preparing Food During a Power Failure:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9001.htm

Safety of Frozen Food During a Power Outage:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9002.htm

Safety of Refrigerated Foods After a Power Outage:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9003.htm

Food Safety During Power Outages:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9004.htm

Quantity Cooking in a Shelter Setting:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9007.htm

Unvented Portable Kerosene Heaters:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9026.htm

Staying Warm in an Unheated House:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9022.htm

FEMA Not Reimbursing Generators

Rumors have been circulating that FEMA will reimburse for generators. Seems this is not the case.

The buyer must have documented medical or extraordinary needs to get financial assistance.

Source: http://www.kspr.com/news/local/38764187.html.

Viewer Report 5: Downed Trees

Jenny Patton shared these photos of Lola Mae Patton's home between Dycusburg and Caldwell Springs. The majestic trees in the front yard have fallen onto the roof and porch. Send your photos and videos to matthewtpatton@yahoo.com for inclusion on this blog.

School Update

Classes have been canceled at Crittenden County schools for the entire week of Feb. 1.

Electricity Update: Current Outages

A report at www.kentucky.com detailed the number of power outages as of 6 p.m., Jan. 31.

Crittenden Co.: 3,624
Lyon Co.: 3,944
Union Co.: 4,628
Livingston Co.: 6,039
Caldwell Co.: 2,221

Viewer Report 4: Footage of Devastation Near Dycusburg

Michelle Henderson of Dycusburg, Ky., provided this raw video, taken on Jan. 31, 2009.

Share your videos and photos by e-mailing matthewpatton@yahoo.com.