From generators to batteries: preparing for the next power outage

The Lowe's on Hunt Club Road received an 'emergency' shipment of generators on Thursday, five days after a storm knocked out power to thousands in Ottawa. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

The recent storm and the 2018 Tornadoes left thousands of people in Ottawa without electricity; now, are you prepared for the next big outage?

When the storm knocked out power, Ottawa resident Russell Latham got creative.

"I’ve got an inverter, I hooked it up to my car," he says.

The inverter, which is connected directly to the car’s battery, generates enough electricity to power essentials, which Latham says he shared with neighbours.

"I turn the car on, and I can run a couple of freezers and a couple of fridges at the same time off of that."  

While he cautions this method could be hard on the car’s alternator, he says he it uses about 20 litres of gas per day; and, it’s "much quieter than a generator."

GENERATORS A HOT-TICKET ITEM

"They’ve been selling really fast today,” says Bernie Carr, an employee at the Nepean Lowes on Hunt Club Road; the store received an "emergency" shipment of generators.

Carr says Thursday morning they had 100 generators, but by 4 p.m. they were down to 16.

"A lot of people are saying they just lost $2,000 worth of food from the fridge and freezer; $400 will save you that, a generator will power your fridge easily and freezer no problem."

The Craftsman model the store was selling was on sale for $449 and runs on gasoline. The cost to fill up is, "about $64 in fuel, it’ll last 15 hours run time, so that’s not too bad," says Carr.

"I came here to buy weed pickers, and I’m pleasantly surprised to see generators — on sale,” said shopper Brian Barry.

Barrhaven resident Melissa Galla's electricity didn’t come on until Wednesday. After losing all of her food, she’s purchased one.

"We’ve been in our area now for like five years, and this has happened twice; we’ve got two young kids, so at this point we need to be prepared.”

CHECKLIST FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The City of Ottawa has “checklists for emergency preparedness,”and cover what you’ll need; including important family documents, an emergency car kit, a food and water checklist. There is also an Emergency Preparedness Kit, which the website says should include:

• Battery-operated or crank radio
• Flashlights and extra light bulbs
• Extra batteries
• Cash or traveler's cheques
• Utility knife
• Rope
• Shovel
• Fire extinguisher; ABC type
• Tube tent
• Blankets/sleeping bags
• Plastic sheeting
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Extra car keys
• Important papers
• Food and bottled water
• Clothing and footwear (one change per person; more for children)
• Toilet paper and other personal supplies
• First aid kit
• Backpack/duffel bag
• Plastic garbage bags, ties
• Disinfectant, chlorine bleach
• Extra fuel for car, stored in a safe place and in an approved container; not a large quantity
• Map of area and compass
• Adjustable wrench, to shut off household gas and water
• Whistle (in case you need to attract attention)
• Playing cards, games, paper, pencils