How to Prepare for the Planned Power Outage
FLEMING, CO — To perform essential maintenance and upgrades to our regional power grid, WAPA (Western Area Power Administration) has scheduled a planned power outage for Monday, May 11th. The outage is expected to last from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While the Town of Fleming hopes that WAPA will complete the work as quickly as possible, an all-day outage requires some advanced planning. To help you stay comfortable and protect your electronics, the Town of Fleming recommends the following preparations:
❄️ Food Safety & Refrigeration
Your refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it remains unopened. A full freezer will keep its temperature for approximately 48 hours.
Add Ice Packs: Place ice packs or frozen water bottles in your refrigerator before 8:00 AM to help maintain low temperatures throughout the day.
Keep the Doors Closed: Avoid "peeking" into the fridge or freezer. Every time the door opens, cold air escapes, shortening the lifespan of your perishables.
🔌 Protect Your Electronics
Power surges can occur when electricity is restored, which may damage sensitive equipment.
Unplug Large Appliances: To prevent shorts or damage, please unplug larger appliances (like microwaves, computers, ovens, washing machines/dryers, and televisions) before the outage begins.
Surge Protectors: If you cannot unplug an item, ensure it is connected to a high-quality surge protector.
🔦 Stay Prepared & Connected
Plan for Extra Time: While we hope power is restorted by 5:00 PM, or even earlier, please prepare for the possibility that the outage could last longer. Maintenance work on the high-voltage system can sometimes reveal unforeseen issues that require extra time to resolve safely.
Charge Your Devices: Ensure all cell phones, tablets, and portable power banks are at 100% charge the night before.
Flashlights & Batteries: Keep a flashlight and fresh batteries in an easy-to-reach spot. Avoid using candles, as they pose a fire risk.
🚗 Garage Doors & Water
Manual Override: If you have an electric garage door opener, familiarise yourself with the manual release lever (usually a red cord) so you can get your vehicle out if you need to leave.
Water Usage: Residents who rely on electric well pumps will not have running water during the outage. Please fill a few gallon jugs for drinking and a bathtub for manual toilet flushing beforehand.
📲 Stay Informed: Sign Up for Text Alerts
The best way to stay updated on the status of the power restoration is through the Town of Fleming text alerts or App. If the work is completed early or if there are unexpected delays, we will send word out immediately.
Don’t miss an update—sign up for Town Text Alerts today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeLo-A6JsPX_qnescJ9OW74GoD69pLmEvcSESE5i4GkCwXaTA/viewform
You can also download the Town of Fleming App and enable notifications for real-time news delivered straight to your phone: https://www.flemingcolorado.us/article/332069
We understand that an all-day power outage is a significant disruption to your daily routine, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this causes our residents and business owners. The Town of Fleming is working closely with WAPA to coordinate every step of the process, ensuring that the maintenance is handled as efficiently as possible so that power can be restored without unnecessary delay. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as these critical infrastructure improvements are completed to ensure the long-term reliability of our local grid.