City offers information, tips to deal with aftereffects of ice storm
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry reminds residents who are heading into their second day without electricity and often without heat to use the Red Cross shelters at the Memorial Coliseum and South Side High School.
“Temperatures are expected to drop this evening and while you might have been able to tough it out at home last night, we do not want you risk you and your family's health and safety by staying in a potentially dangerously cold house,” said Mayor Henry. “This is especially important for our elderly residents who may suffer the most effects from cold temperatures.”
Mayor Henry also asks residents to check on neighbors to make sure they are OK.
311 and 911 call centers
After more than 8,000 calls Friday, the City's 311 Call Center will be open until 5 p.m. today and again from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 311 is taking non-emergency calls for things such as tree limbs obstructing streets.
911 should be used for emergencies only including downed power lines. Do not touch any downed utility wire.
Shelter information
The War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., and South Side High School, 3601 S. Calhoun St., have free shelter space and will offer free meals. They will be open at least through Sunday. The Red Cross is providing cots.
Those heading to a shelter should bring bedding or sleeping bags, pillows, clothing, games or toys for their children, and if needed, medications and baby formula.
The YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne has opened the Central Branch, the Parkview Family YMCA, the Jorgensen Family YMCA and the Old Fort YMCA to the public for showering purposes until power is restored.
Water pipes
If a house or building has no heat, occupants should turn on the faucets with a stream the diameter of a pencil to help minimize chances of the pipes freezing. If hot water heater is working, the water should be lukewarm running through the faucets.
Leave any cabinet doors open to help circulate air around the pipes too. The air in the house is likely to be warmer than the air outside.
Power outages and traffic signals
Forty-five traffic signals are out from the widespread power outages. The City has placed temporary stop signs at 35 of the affected intersections, but Mayor Henry reminds drivers that when a signal is not working, it becomes a four-way stop.
Mayor Henry recommends anyone without power to contact their electric company to report the outage if they haven't already done so. “The only way the power company knows you are without power is if you call. Don't assume they know about your house even if your neighbors have called,” he said. Indiana Michigan Power customers need to call (800) 311-4634 and follow the automated prompts.
Indiana Michigan Power is working to restore power to customers with crews coming from out of state to help the efforts. For I&M service updates, visit http://www.indianamichiganpower.com/news/outages/viewstorm.asp?stormName=December%202008%20Ice%20Storm.
Tree branches
Temperatures are expected to fall tonight and winds could pick up, causing more tree branches to fall. People should stay inside in high winds and avoid parking under trees if possible.
The City is offering three free tree-branch drop-off sites for Fort Wayne residents at:
'¢ City Biosolids Facility Compost Site, 6210 Lake Ave., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday
'¢ Shoaff Park Christmas Tree drop-off location by Conklin Pavilion during park hours
'¢ Tillman Park by the ball fields during park hours
For trees in the parkstrip, City crews will pick up limbs. For tree branches from the yard, it's the property owner's responsibility to remove them.
For a nominal fee, residents can also take limbs and debris to the National Serv-All compost site, 6231 MacBeth Rd. It is open 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Streets closed
The following sections of streets are closed due to fallen tree branches or downed power lines:
'¢ 800 block of West. DeWald St. (tree down)
'¢ Runnion Avenue, south of Howell (tree down)
'¢ Hazelett Road, south of Rothman Road (wires and tree down)
'¢ Dunkelberg Road, between Bluffton Road and Kinnerk Road (wires down)
Safety tips from Fort Wayne Fire Department
The Fort Wayne Fire Department offers the following tips to residents who are without heat to stay safe:
'¢ Never use a range or oven to heat a home or building.
'¢ Make sure wood stoves are properly installed and away from combustible surfaces. They need to have proper floor support and adequate ventilation. Never use flammable liquids (such as gasoline) to start or accelerate the fire.
'¢ If trying to thaw a frozen pipe, do not use a blow torch or other open flame. Use hot water or a UL-listed device such as a hand-held dryer.
'¢ Only use a space heater when it is monitored at all times. Do not leave a space heater unattended. Be sure to allow at least three feet of clear space all the way around the heater. Make sure the space heater has an emergency shut-off in case it tips over. Follow all manufacturers' guidelines especially in using the recommended fuel for that space heater. Be sure to refuel the space heater outside, away from the house and never refill it while it is operating or still hot.