For those without power, experts offer next steps after severe storms

As hundreds of thousands go without electricity after severe storms killed two people and battered the region, officials and experts have begun weighing in with guidance about how to proceed.

Though some customers have had their power restored since the storm, Duquesne Light said it could take five to seven days to fully restore electricity to all customers in the region.

Here are some tips residents can follow in the meantime.

Food safety

Without power for lengthy periods, perishables in refrigerators and freezers can quickly become a concern.

In a news conference Tuesday, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato advised residents to discard any perishable foods — such as eggs, milk, meat, vegetables or leftovers — that had been in a refrigerator without power for more than four hours.

As for freezers, Innamorato said, items in a fully packed freezer would generally remain good for 48 hours while those in a half-packed freezer would last 24 hours.

The Allegheny County Health Department, in a social media post, also advised residents to prepare a cooler with ice or gel packs to keep items at appropriate temperatures.

The post said residents should not consume any food that reached temperatures greater than 40 degrees, nor any food with an unusual odor, color or texture.

“When in doubt, throw it out,” Innamorato said.

Insurance claims

In a Wednesday morning statement, State Farm said it already had received more than 1,200 damage claims as a result of the severe weather in the region.

And as residents continue to assess damage, that number is likely to rise.

Though homeowners’ claims for damaged roofs or fences might be more visible, Ashley Dively, executive assistant and customer service manager at a State Farm agency in O’Hara, said those affected by continued power outages may also be able to file claims for large amounts of spoiled food.

Dively cautioned, however, that any claims should exceed a customer’s deductible and would have to be itemized. For home damage or food spoilage, she advised customers to get an estimate before filing a claim.

Even minor claims that still exceed a deductible, Dively said, would appear on a customer’s claims record, which companies use to set premiums.

Daniel Carinci, an insurance agent in Lower Burrell, said the call volume has been “pretty intense,” since the storm.

Before filing a claim, he said, residents should make a list of damaged goods and take photos of their property.

“I would say call your agent, go over your deductible and see what type of damage has been done,” he said.

With rain forecast for the remainder of the week, residents may not be out of the woods yet. Carinci said residents should preserve any personal property that can be saved in the meantime.

After a claim has been filed, agents would connect customers to insurance adjusters to investigate claims, though a greater number of reports may cause delays, he said.

Electric currents

Upon power resumption, surges could pose a risk for household appliances including washers and microwaves.

For those nervous about potentially vulnerable electronics, Justin Mays, owner of Penn Hills-based Just Electric, said residents can simply unplug them until power is back.

If appliances do not turn on after power resumes, residents should check their fuse boxes and GFCI outlets — those with small buttons between sockets — to be sure they are in the on position, Mays said.

People should fully avoid downed wires, he added, leaving electrical work to professionals.

Parker Kline, superintendent of Power Pros, a generator installer in Springdale, said his phone has not stopped ringing since the storms.

Though whole-house generators can cost tens of thousands of dollars, Kline said, they can be a worthy investment in moments like these. Smaller models, which might power only some sockets, can run in the four-digit range, he said.

The whole process of acquiring a generator from quote to installation lasts about a month or two, but Kline expects his order volume to triple after Wednesday.

For those wary of an extended process, small gasoline generators are generally available for less than $500 at many big box stores, though residents should avoid using them indoors because of exhaust fumes.

“Just the peace of mind of knowing that even if the power goes out, your generator is going to turn on and power your home, you’re not going to lose any food in your freezer or be stuck without AC, it’s just very nice to have,” Kline said.