Media Contact: Jennifer Ciaccia: (216) 250-5863; jciaccia@cuyahogacounty.us

As service disruptions could continue for days, County Office of Emergency Management provides tips for after the storm

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH Cuyahoga County Emergency Management specialists are working closely with municipalities most heavily impacted by the storms. Crews are conducting damage assessments and will continue to provide resources and assistance around the clock as long as necessary. County leaders continue to monitor the situation, communicate with state leaders, and take all appropriate steps to keep the community safe.

The County Emergency Operations Center is activated for situational assessment and monitoring. County Emergency Management teams have deployed throughout the region to provide support resources. County Public Works teams have responded to multiple municipalities to assist with tree removal, road signage, and cleanup.

Residents are urged to stay prepared and informed of emergencies by signing up for ReadyNotify, Cuyahoga County’s emergency notification system. The ReadyNotify system provides notifications for emergency events, weather alerts, and other information. Additional information and tips about staying safe in emergencies can be found at Ready.gov.

The Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management urges residents to check on friends and neighbors and follow these safety recommendations:

• Call 9-1-1 in emergencies. Emergencies are events that include serious medical issues, any type of fire, life threatening situations, and crimes in progress. Do NOT dial 9-1-1 for non-emergencies, or to check the status of a power outage. Use your city’s non-emergency number to report non-urgent incidents or dial 2-1-1 for other resources.
• NEVER touch downed wires or electrical power lines and keep children and pets away from them. If you encounter a downed power line, stay away, and call 9-1-1. If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside until first responders arrive.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Use generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills outdoors, at least 20 feet away from any building openings like windows, doors, or garages. Never use a gas stovetop, oven, grill, or dryer to heat your home.
• Using oxygen and without power? Call the number on your concentrator or tank to request an emergency resupply of oxygen tanks.
• Stay fire safe. Use flashlights, lanterns and other battery-powered lights. Only use a generator outside of your home. Do not run a generator inside a home or garage or connect it to your home's electrical system.
• Powering up with your vehicle. Don’t leave a vehicle running inside a garage, even if the garage door is left open. If you use your vehicle as a source of power or to stay cool, make sure to run it in a well-ventilated place outside.
• When in doubt, throw it out. Throw away any refrigerated food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for more than 4 hours. Throw away refrigerated food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. If you are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and have been without power for four hours or more, replacement benefits may be available.
• Cooling and Reception Centers are available in some communities. Cooling and reception centers can be used to beat the heat and charge up devices. Find a center near you.
• If you are in need of food assistance or other resources:
  • Call the United Way Help Center at 2-1-1 for resource information for food, clothing, housing, healthcare, and more. The United Way Help Center is free and available 24 hours a day.
  • The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless provides resource information for meal sites, housing, counseling and more.