June 29’s storms, featuring winds gusting between **60 to 80 mph**, have wreaked havoc across the Ozarks, leaving **tens of thousands** of Springfield residents without power. By late Sunday night, around **29,000 City Utilities customers** were still in the dark, a decrease from an earlier count of over **37,000**. For those affected, getting the latest updates on power restoration, knowing how to report outages, and ensuring food safety are crucial.
If you’re navigating this challenging situation, keep reading for practical steps to protect your food and family during a power outage.
🚧 **Power Restoration: What You Need to Know**
According to an email update from City Utilities (CU) at **8:15 p.m.** on June 29, the number of outages fluctuated as crews worked diligently to restore power. **CU crews are actively assessing damage**, but they also warned that recovery may take longer than expected. “Restoration times may be extended and this will be a multi-day event for some,” they stated, stressing their commitment to deploying all available resources.
📞 **How to Report Outages**
If your power is out, **don’t hesitate to report it**! CU customers can report outages by calling **(888) 863-9001**. This ensures that your address is included in their restoration efforts. Helping them identify the extent of the outages will accelerate the process.
🍽️ **Food Safety During Power Outages**
Losing power can be more than just an inconvenience; it poses serious **food safety threats**. Keeping your freezer and fridge doors closed is crucial—each time you open them, valuable cold air escapes, potentially spoiling your food faster.
According to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, perishable foods stored in a refrigerator can remain safe for **4 to 6 hours**. If the temperature in your fridge exceeds **45 degrees Fahrenheit** for over **2 hours**, it’s best to throw that food out.
❄️ **Freezing Foods: A Guideline**
For items in your freezer, if the temperature is below **40 degrees** or ice crystals remain, you can safely refreeze them. Additionally, adding bags of ice or **dry ice** can extend the viability of your frozen foods if it seems like the outage might continue.
❌ **Don’t Taste Test for Safety**
It’s critical to **not taste food** to check its safety. Some items may appear and smell fine while harboring harmful bacteria that can lead to foodborne illnesses, especially if left at room temperature for more than two hours.
By taking these protective measures, you can ensure that your family’s meals remain safe and sound, even in the face of adversity.
