Team Springfield Working Together in Storm Response
On January 17, 2024, Governor Tina Kotek joined the City of Springfield and Lane County Government in declaring Lane County a disaster following several rounds of freezing rain and ice. We are facing an emergency that will require all of us to come together, even as the ice thaws.
Team Springfield partners, Springfield Utility Board (SUB), City of Springfield, Springfield Public Schools, and Willamalane Park and Recreation District are already working together. We always prioritize life and safety. We urge people to stay off the streets unless necessary to travel. Here are a few things we’d like to share:
- SUB has issued a boil water order for customers in Springfield’s west and east distribution system (see map). If you do not have power to boil water, please use bottled water until the boil water notice has been lifted.
- Our #1 priority in Springfield is to restore power as soon as possible. Starting today, Thursday, January 18, the Bob Keefer Center is being used as staging location for utility crews called into our area to amplify SUB’s power restoration efforts. We continue to communicate on resource needs.
- City Operations crews will be active in removing tree hazards and opening roadways throughout our community.
- Police and Fire services are handling a record number of calls.
What can you do to help?
The power restoration process will take a long time to complete. The warmer weather will help, but the damage our power infrastructure sustained was significant. Here are a few things you can do to help:
- Be prepared for a lengthy recovery effort. Make sure you have plenty of food and water at your house.
- Restoring power at water distribution sites is the highest priority for SUB. But please reduce your water usage as much as possible.
- Please check on neighbors, share supplies, and support each other however you can.
- Give utility and first responders room to work. The more space we can give them, the faster they can restore power and remove potential hazards.
- If you’re utilizing a generator, only operate in a well-ventilated area. They should never be used inside homes, garages, or other partially enclosed spaces. Always store additional fuel in approved containers in a safe location away from living areas.
- Due to downed trees and safety hazards, parks and trails are currently closed to the public.
Where can you get updates?
All Team Springfield partners ask that you check the City of Springfield’s alerts page for updates and resource links at https://springfield-or.gov/alerts.
– TEAM SPRINGFIELD
