Prepare for Severe Weather With a Standby Generator – Part 2
As discussed in Part 1, Maryland occasionally suffers severe weather events. They can happen any time of the year, causing power outages. Part 2 will discuss Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and the Best Way to Prepare for a Power Outage.
Hurricanes
A Category 5 hurricane can produce winds greater than 156 miles per hour, along with severe thunderstorms. Starting the 1st of June and ending November 30th, the Atlantic Hurricane season peaks from mid-August to late October.
Maryland was hit hardest by Hurricane Agnes (1972), which killed 19 people, mostly due to heavy flooding, and Hurricane Irene in 2011, which caused $151 million in property damage. The effects from a hurricane can cause power outages that last several days or weeks.
Tornadoes
Appearing as a funnel-shaped rotating cloud, a tornado descends from a thunderstorm and touches the ground, generating winds up to 300 miles per hour. A tornado’s damage path can stretch a mile wide and 50 miles long, wreaking havoc in the area it travels through.
Maryland usually experiences several tornadoes each year. They typically strike between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. from April to November. Fortunately, they typically occur in rural areas that are sparsely populated, and not much damage or casualties result.
Best Way to Prepare for a Power Outage
A power outage can last just a minute to more than a week. A short power outage can be caused by a downed utility pole, blown transformer fuse, or control equipment failure at a sub-station. Longer power outages typically result from extensive electrical infrastructure damage caused by flooding or hurricane winds.
The best way for a homeowner to prepare for a power loss is to install an emergency standby generator, which automatically activates within seconds after utility power is lost. Usually powered by natural gas or propane, they can typically run 24 hours a day for up to a week without having to refuel. Work with an experienced licensed electrician to ensure your unit is properly installed and can meet your electrical needs.
Electrical Services You Can Trust
Meyer Electrical Services is an authorized Kohler and KOHLER Sales & Service Dealer serving Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. We provide custom standby generator installations and are trained and licensed to perform the regularly required important factory service and maintenance. Receive a free consultation today by calling (301) 941-1400.