While enjoying the cold winter break from the heat of summer, some parts of the country might be suffering from the disastrous raging of ice storms. The recovery from the devastation caused by such winter storms can take a considerable amount of time and can often times cost a state to spend far beyond their emergency budget. Joint efforts by different state and private institutions, working together to organize a speedier and more organized effort, along with the role of heavy equipment such as bucket trucks, synergizes the effort between people and the machine.
Ice Storm Causes
A type of winter storm that is caused by freezing rain is commonly known as an ice storm. In some parts of the U.S., they are also known as a silver thaw. An ice storm happens when frozen precipitation passes through the warm layer of air that is in between two cold layers, one above and another just above the ground. The precipitation partially melts when it passes through the warm layer later turning into sleet when it reaches various surfaces or the ground. When sleet accumulates into ice, it will soon cause too much weight on power lines, tree branches, etc., causing them to snap or break off.
Damaging Effects of the Storm
Build up of frozen precipitation can make the roads extremely slippery and very hazardous for vehicles even with chains to skid out of control. Sidewalks and outside stairs may become slippery and can cause pedestrians to slip or fall. Falling branches from trees, torn power lines, damaged utility poles are major problems that are often the direct result of this disastrous freezing precipitation.
A power loss is one of the most severe effects brought on by an ice storm. Such a problem is due to branches falling on power lines, or to the heavy accumulations of ice on the lines themselves causing them to easily snap. High-voltage poles are also in danger of falling due to this type of storm. Prolonged electrical outages in an area can add another cause death due to CO-2 poisoning, since many times people will use alternative methods for cooking or heating without being concerned for proper ventilation. In addition, with the loss of power, the cold could even cause death due to hypothermia.
Ability to Speed Recovery
The versatility of bucket trucks helps to speed the recovery from the devastation brought by this type of disaster. These trucks are equipped with tools necessary to repair damaged power lines and this equipment is geared to work on live power lines. Because of the bucket truck’s mobility, this utility vehicle can respond quickly to affected areas. As the lineman works to repair the lines to restore electrical power to a stricken area, this truck in particular makes the task more efficient in getting the job done in far less time.
Ability to Work with Live Power Lines
These versatile vehicles with insulated upper controls prevent the conducting of any electricity from the upper boom parts. Even if it were to accidentally come into contact with an uncovered live power line, the insulation provides expanded protection from an electrical hazard when a lineman is working with such live lines. In addition, a non-conductive metal component is used for the control panel for safe operating capability.
A delayed response during a winter storm means an increase in casualties and fatalities. Accidents, hypothermia, CO poisoning, etc., are all possible occurrences that can be prevented. Responding with well-equipped trained workers and bucket trucks to repair power lines can result in a speedy restoration of electricity and will surely lower the percentage of casualties caused by this weather phenomenon. Bucket trucks can indeed provide a soaring recovery to any ice storm!
Christopher Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. If you are interested in learning more about Bucket Trucks For Sale in Canada, go to the main website shown in this link.
