BELLE — Three Rivers Electric Cooperative is monitoring weather conditions and preparing for this first 2025 winter storm.   

“Early predictions show several inches of snowfall and ice. Ice and heavy, wet snow will likely create power outages on the TREC system,” said CEO/General Manager Roger Kloeppel. “We want our members to know what to do and how to stay safe in the event of a power outage.”

Kloeppel noted that linemen will be on call. Member service representatives will be on hand to take outage calls and operations personnel will be on hand to dispatch crews. Three Rivers is also working with the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC) and the other 46 electric cooperatives it serves in strategizing and preparing for the storm.

Members are encouraged to report power outages by calling 573-644-9000 or by using the SmartHub app. Outages should not be reported on the co-op’s Facebook page. Anyone aware of downed power lines, broken poles, or arcing conductors, this information is very valuable in assisting crews with power restoration. Please stay clear of the lines and call Three Rivers Electric Cooperative with the information so they can dispatch a crew to address the problem. 

“In the event of a power outage, TREC crews will respond as soon as road conditions are safe. We encourage everyone to stay off the roads until the storm has fully passed to allow emergency responders and our crews to safely do their jobs,” Kloeppel said.

Remember these safety tips during a power outage:

• Stay as far away as possible from downed power lines. A power line does not need to be sparking or arcing to be energized, even if it is sagging close to or on the ground.

• Always assume that all low and downed lines are energized and dangerous. Call TREC at 573-644-9000 or 911 to report a downed or sagging line.

• Anyone utilizing a back up generator to power their home during an outage, please follow all generator manufacturer safety requirements.