Latest news with #powerOutages
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
We Energies urges balloon safety after 14k lose power in 2025
(WFRV) – Metallic balloons, often used for celebrations, are causing thousands of power outages, and We Energies is urging customers to take precautions to prevent them. In a press release, We Energies reported that Mylar balloons have caused outages affecting nearly 14,000 customers so far this year, resulting in over 153,000 minutes of lost power. Application for Class B liquor license in Green Bay open upon release Since 2020, the company has recorded more than 120,000 outages linked to Mylar balloons. The metallic coating on Mylar balloons can conduct electricity when they come into contact with power lines. This contact creates short circuits that not only interrupt electrical service but can also cause power lines to fall, posing serious safety hazards. We Energies recommends never releasing balloons outdoors and always securing them to a weight. Customers should keep balloons away from overhead power lines and avoid touching balloons that are tangled in wires or utility equipment. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources seeking volunteers to teach next generation of hunters If a balloon is spotted caught in power lines or other utility equipment, customers should contact We Energies immediately at 800-662-4797 rather than attempting to remove it themselves. Taking these simple precautions can help prevent outages and ensure public safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Now millions MORE under flood alerts as tropical storm hits states along the southeast
Millions of Americans are under flood alerts as a storm moves northward along the East Coast, bringing heavy rain, dangerous surf and widespread power outages. Chantal made landfall in South Carolina as a tropical storm but has since weakened to a tropical depression after losing strength over land. However, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned it still poses a threat of tropical storm conditions to millions this week. The storm unleashed up to 10 inches of rain across central North Carolina on Sunday, inundating homes, submerging roads and stranding numerous drivers. More than 17,000 residents in Orange and Chatham counties remain without power due to downed trees and power lines. As Chantal pushes into Virginia on Monday, forecasters expect up to four inches of additional rain, raising concerns about flash flooding in low-lying areas. Flood watches are also in effect across parts of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, where heavy rain is forecast to continue into early this week. Life-threatening rip currents are expected along beaches from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic, with officials urging beachgoers to avoid entering the water. 'Tropical Depression Chantal will continue to produce heavy rainfall across portions of northern North Carolina and Virginia into Monday,' the NHC shared in a Monday morning update. 'Storm total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches, with local amounts up to 9 inches, is expected. An elevated risk for flash flooding will continue.' A tropical storm is a weather system with sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 miles per hour, capable of producing heavy rain and causing significant damage. A tropical depression is weaker, with winds below 39 miles per hour, but it can still bring heavy rainfall and flooding. Both require close monitoring due to their potential impacts. 'Residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas should move to higher ground immediately. Do not wait,' the alert added. In response to rising waters, Orange County, North Carolina, which includes Chapel Hill, declared a state of emergency Sunday night. 'Residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas should move to higher ground immediately. Do not wait,' the NHC urged. The county warned on social media that 'numerous water rescues and evacuations are underway in low-lying areas.' Firefighters in Chapel Hill conducted more than 50 water rescues from Sunday evening into early Monday, with over 60 residents forced to evacuate their homes, the city announced. Around 80 people in Durham were also rescued by boat, and dozens more were evacuated on foot. 'Dozens of apartments and homes had to be evacuated as the water level began to reach the tops of vehicles,' Durham fire officials said in a Monday morning news release. Water levels at the Eno River rose to their highest point with an increase of 25.63 feet, which qualifies as major flooding, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Frank Pereira, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the New York Times, 'While things will improve across North Carolina, they may worsen for areas further to the northeast.' 'We're advising people not to go out and travel unless absolutely necessary.' Areas around Raleigh, North Carolina, are under flood warning until Wednesday morning. As of 5am ET Monday, Tropical Depression Chantal was located about 70 miles east-northeast of Danville, Virginia. Meanwhile, parts of southern New Jersey and Delaware are under flood watches as of 10am. 'The remnants of Chantal will move into the Mid-Atlantic this morning, bringing heavy rain,' the NWS said Monday. 'The tropical airmass will bring generally 1 to 2 inches of rainfall across the urban corridor, with isolated amounts up to 5 inches possible, leading to flash flooding.' Showers and thunderstorms are expected to end by 8 p.m. ET, with any lingering flooding anticipated to subside overnight. Chantal's arrival follows devastating flash floods in Texas, where at least 82 people have died and dozens remain missing after an unprecedented downpour overwhelmed thousands of residents. The NWS issued a series of flash flood warnings early Friday, escalating to rare flash flood emergencies, alerts indicating imminent danger. An initial flood watch was issued Thursday afternoon, predicting 5 to 7 inches of rain. Messaging from the NWS intensified overnight, urging residents to evacuate flood-prone areas and seek higher ground. At 4:03am Friday, the agency issued an urgent warning highlighting the potential for catastrophic damage and severe threats to human life. Local officials said they were unprepared for the scale of the downpour, which dumped what amounted to months' worth of rain in a short period. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem acknowledged the challenges forecasters face in predicting extreme rainfall. She emphasized the Trump administration's commitment to upgrading National Weather Service technology to improve warning times. 'We know that everyone wants more warning time, and that's why we're working to upgrade the technology that's been neglected for far too long to make sure families have as much advance notice as possible,' Noem said during a press conference with state and federal leaders.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Keep the Power On and the Party Going: FirstEnergy's Summer Safety Guide
AKRON, Ohio, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As summer fun heats up, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is urging families to stay safe while enjoying the season's favorite outdoor activities. From backyard barbecues to Fourth of July fireworks, a few simple precautions can prevent power outages and keep everyone safe. Chad Stoneking, Director of Safety Operations at FirstEnergy: "We want everyone to enjoy the season without any surprises. A little awareness goes a long way in keeping your family safe and your party energized." View, download and share a video of FirstEnergy's tips to keep summer safe and enjoyable for people of all ages. Keep Foil Balloons GroundedFestive foil balloons are popular holiday and party decorations, but their metallic coating conducts electricity and can cause power outages if they drift into power lines or electrical equipment. February marks a dramatic increase in balloon-related outages that peaks during summertime outdoor celebrations. In recent months, foil balloons caused more than a dozen power outages across FirstEnergy's six-state service area. Securely tying helium-filled foil balloons to a heavy weight prevents them from floating away. Puncture and deflate them when no longer in use – never release them into the sky. Leave Fireworks to the ProsPlay it safe by leaving the large, colorful fireworks displays to the professionals. Fireworks, firecrackers and rockets should only be lit in open areas where no power lines are in sight. Should a firework accidentally encounter a power line or equipment, leave it alone and immediately call 911 to report the problem. Drone Safety Can Be FunKeep the fun in flying drones and other aerial toys by being mindful of nearby electrical equipment. FirstEnergy's Drone Safety Zone, the first video game of its kind, allows players to learn current rules and best practices for drone operators while racing against others through an electrified course. "Help us keep your summer safe and bright – tie down those balloons, keep fireworks away from power lines and always call us if you see something unsafe," said Stoneking. Smart Summer Safety TipsKeep your summer safe with these quick reminders: Never fly kites or drones near power lines. Don't retrieve anything tangled in wires – call FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877. Keep cords and devices at least 10 feet from pools or spas. Use battery-powered devices outdoors when possible. Cover outdoor outlets to keep them dry. Watch for overhead lines when towing boats or climbing trees. Stay far away from downed wires – always assume they're live and dangerous, and report them by calling 911. Visit to learn about FirstEnergy's "Stop. Look. Live." safety campaign that emphasizes staying safe around electricity and near power lines and equipment. FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at and follow FirstEnergy and its electric companies on X @FirstEnergyCorp, @OhioEdison, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @W_Penn_Power, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @JCP_L, @PotomacEdison, @MonPowerWV. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
How The 2025 St. Louis Tornado Compares To A Historic One In 1896
A person walks past a large tree blocking a road after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, ... More 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The very active 2025 tornado season continues with deadly consequences. Nearly 30 people have died after tornadoes moved through the central U.S., including St. Louis. The National Weather Service confirmed that at least one EF3 tornado tracked through parts of the St. Louis Metropolitan area on Friday. The tornado stayed on the ground for 8 miles leaving a wake of destruction, fatalities, and power outages. Here's what we know right about it and how it compares to a historic tornado that ravaged the same city over a century ago. Local media reports, at the time of writing, indicate at least 5 fatalities and several injuries from tornadic activity that impacted the St. Louis area. As of Sunday morning, tens of thousands of people were still without power, particularly in the northern part of the city. The initial survey indicates an EF3 tornado path at least 8 miles long and a mile wide in parts of ... More St. Louis on May 16, 2025. On Saturday evening the NWS office in St. Louis wrote, 'Initial surveying of the May 16 St Louis tornado has been completed only for the portion west of the Mississippi River.' They noted that the tornado began at 2:41 p.m. local time near Clayton and tracked for at least 8 miles reaching EF3 intensity with approximately 150 mph wind. Over the course of its time on the ground, the path reached a maximum width of 1 mile. Because the survey has not been completed for areas east of the river, it is almost certain that tornado was on the ground for additional miles into the state of Illinois. The Enhanced Fujita Scale. While certainly an interesting story, tornadoes in the St. Louis area are not unprecedented. I often use the Midwest Regional Climate Center Tornado Tracks tool in my mesoscale meteorology class at the University of Georgia. We actually did an exercise with it a few weeks ago. From 1950 to 2024, several tornadoes have tracked near St. Louis. Several of them were at least F/EF3 or long track. Tornado tracks from 1950 to 2024 in the Midwest. The Great St. Louis Tornado of 1896 still ranks as the deadliest tornado in St. Louis history. According to a NOAA website, 'It would most likely be rated as an EF4 today, with winds estimated between 168 and 199 mph.' Meteorologist and weather historian Sean Potter told me, 'Without lifesaving weather radars, models, and warnings, we might as well be back in 1896, when a devastating tornado on May 27 cut a 10-mile path of destruction through the heart of St. Louis, killing 255 people and injuring 1,000 others." Potter went on to place the storm in perspective. He continued, "The 1869 tornado in St. Louis still ranks today as the third-deadliest in U.S. history (after the Tri-State Tornado of 1925 and the Natchez, Mississippi, tornado of 1840)." St. Louis from space. Potter, who wrote a retrospective of 1896 tornado in 2022, makes an important point with many NWS offices currently understaffed, and services being reduced. St. Louis is more densely populated now than in 1896, yet there are only 5 confirmed fatalities so far. Thanks to the National Weather Service, we have advanced Doppler radars, models, satellites, and observing systems. Additionally, the NWS works closely with a robust network of emergency managers or responders and other communication outlets. Damage from a tornadic storm system in 1896.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘I didn't even look back': First-time evacuee shares her experience on fleeing Manitoba fire
'I didn't even look back': First-time evacuee shares her experience on fleeing Manitoba fire Lac du Bonnet resident Lillian Wall says she was 'so scared' during the evacuation, and is unable to return home yet due to power outages.
