Mayor Henry asks residents without heat, power to be safe, responsible
As many city residents head into their third day without power and often heat, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry asks residents to use fireplaces and other secondary heat sources responsibly. Many wood-burning fireplaces, especially in newer homes, were designed to be decorative, not as a heat source.
“Indiana Michigan Power is working diligently to restore power, but until the electricity comes back on, we need Fort Wayne residents to stay safe and make good choices when their homes are without heat,” Mayor Henry said. “Don't be unwilling to go to one of the Red Cross shelters. They are there to provide you and your family with a safe, warm place until this over.”
The Fire Department has seen problems with people operating decorative fireplaces too long, with too much wood or too hot, which can create fire safety hazards. “If your fireplace was not designed as a primary heat source, don't use it as such,” Chief Kelly said. “We want people to be warm, but they need to use alternate heat sources safely.”
The Fire Department is also concerned about carbon monoxide levels in homes where kerosene space heaters are not being used with proper ventilation. Use all space heaters according to manufacturer's instructions.
A list of safety tips is included in this news release.
311 and 911 call centers
The City's 311 Call Center will be open until 5 p.m. today. 311 is taking non-emergency calls for things such as tree limbs obstructing streets. It will have regular hours tomorrow, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
911 should be used for emergencies only including downed power lines. Do not touch any downed utility wire.
Shelter information
The Red Cross has set up shelters at The War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., and South Side High School, 3601 S. Calhoun St., with cots and sleeping space, and free meals.
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 the 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.
Do not turn off the water to a structure as a way to prevent pipes from freezing.
Mayor asks for residents' patience
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry asks for patience and cooperation from Fort Wayne residents as the city heads into the third day of the effects from Friday's ice storm.
“Fort Wayne is a community with a wonderful helpful spirit. We have people across the city who have been working or volunteering around the clock since this storm to make sure people are safe and working to return the community to normal,” Mayor Henry said. “Rebuilding after a storm of this severity is never as fast as we might want it, but I want to thank the community organizations and individuals who are working to make this interruption as calm as possible.”
With widespread power outages continuing, Mayor Henry also encourages people without heat and power to go to the two local Red Cross shelters, the Memorial Coliseum and South Side High School, and to check on friends, neighbors and church members to make sure they are OK.
Safety tips from Fort Wayne Fire Department
The 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.
Power outages and traffic signals
Thirty-five traffic signals are out from the widespread power outages, down from a high of 65. The City has placed temporary stop signs at 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 recent winds are causing new and repeat outages across Fort Wayne.
Indiana Michigan Power customers need to call (800) 311-4634 and follow the automated prompts.
With the help of additional crews, 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
Today's winds could cause additional 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.