S E PT E M BE R 2026 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Peak Hurricane Season Is Here and Preparation Matters
• Member Q&A
DEAR MEMBERS, It is now September, which is the peak month of the Atlantic hurricane season. While no one can predict where or when a storm will develop, history reminds us it only takes one storm to significantly impact our communities. Your family depends on reliable electric service, which is why hurricane preparedness is a yearround commitment at SECO Energy. Long before a storm appears in the forecast, our teams work to strengthen the electric system through infrastructure improvements, proactive vegetation management, employee training, and comprehensive storm planning. These ongoing efforts help reduce outages and position our crews to restore power as quickly and safely as possible when severe weather strikes. We also routinely evaluate and adopt new technologies to improve our storm response. One of these emerging technologies is the use of utility-scale drones that allow us to assess damage more quickly and safely after a storm. This technology helps us identify the hardesthit areas, prioritize repairs, and begin restoring power sooner while improving safety for our employees and contractors. While we prepare every day, we encourage you to do the same. Take time now to review your family's emergency plans, replenish essential supplies, and ensure your family's storm kit is fully stocked before severe weather threatens our area. Being informed and prepared can make a significant difference during and after a storm. Your safety is just as important to us as restoring power. If you or a loved one depends on electrically
• GenerLink • Trustee Insight
powered medical equipment, please contact SECO Energy and enroll your household in Florida’s Special Needs Registry at FloridaDisaster.org. It is essential to have a plan in place for extended power outages during hurricane season. That plan may include evacuating outside a storm’s projected path, having access to a backup generator, or relocating to a county-approved emergency shelter. If outages occur, please know that SECO employees work as long as weather conditions safely allow them to restore power as quickly possible. During periods of sustained high winds or other dangerous conditions, crews must temporarily suspend restoration efforts until it is safe to resume. Our employees live and work right here in Central Florida, serving the same communities where they raise their families. They experience the same storms and challenges alongside our members, and they remain committed to restoring service safely, efficiently, and with the highest regard for the well-being of everyone we serve. As your trusted electric cooperative, the SECO team is committed to being ready when you need us most. We encourage every member to plan ahead so that together we can weather hurricane season safely and recover more quickly when storms pass. Sincerely,
CURTIS WYNN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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Own a Portable Generator? Get Storm-Ready Before the Next Outage. Portable generators can provide peace of mind during a power outage—but only when they are used safely. SECO Energy's GenerLink® program offers a safe, convenient way to connect your portable generator directly through your electric meter using a meter-mounted transfer switch. When the generator is operating, the transfer switch automatically disconnects your home f rom the electric grid, helping prevent dangerous backfeed that can damage equipment and endanger crews in the field working to restore power. If you use a portable generator, always follow proper safety practices. Operate your generator outdoors and well away from doors, windows, and garages to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never connect a generator directly to your home's electrical system without an approved transfer switch. Don't wait until a storm is in the forecast. As demand increases before severe weather, installation appointments may become limited. Install your GenerLink transfer switch now so you're ready before the next outage.
Learn more or schedule your GenerLink installation today at SECOEnergy.com/ GenerLink or call us at (352) 793-3801.
NAVIGATING STORM-DAMAGED EQUIPMENT Severe storms can leave behind hidden electrical hazards. Downed power lines, broken utility poles, and damaged electrical equipment may still be energized – even if they don't appear dangerous. Always stay far away from downed power lines and anything they may be touching, including trees, fences, vehicles, puddles, and standing water. Never assume a power line is de-energized. Report downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment to SECO Energy immediately, and if there is an immediate threat to life or property, call 911. Never attempt to move, inspect, or repair damaged utility poles, power lines, electric meters, or other electrical equipment. Only trained utility personnel should handle damaged electrical infrastructure. As you clean up after a storm, remain alert for potential electrical hazards hidden by debris or floodwater. Taking a few extra precautions can help protect you, your family, your neighbors, and the crews working to restore power safely.
Q& A Member
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IF A STORM CAUSES POWER OUTAGES?
When severe weather causes power outages, we know you are counting on SECO Energy to restore your service as quickly and safely as possible. Restoring power while protecting the safety of our employees, members, and communities is always our highest priority. Our response begins as soon as the weather conditions are safe. Crews assess damage across the system, identify the hardest-hit areas, and begin restoration work immediately. They continue working for as long as conditions safely allow until every member's power is restored. Behind the scenes, our Member Services team extends its hours to answer questions, process outage reports, provide updates, and help members access the information they need throughout the restoration process. During widespread outages caused by hurricanes or other major storms, SECO Energy follows an established restoration plan. Crews first restore power to critical infrastructure—including hospitals, emergency shelters, emergency operations centers, fire stations, law enforcement facilities, and other essential public services— to help protect public health and safety. Next, they focus on repairs that restore power to the greatest number of members in the shortest amount of time before addressing smaller outages and individual service issues. Throughout a storm, SECO Energy provides timely updates through multiple communication channels to keep members informed. Use StormCenter to report an outage, check your outage status, view the outage map, and monitor estimated restoration times as they become available.
For even faster updates, enroll in outage notifications through StormCenter to receive alerts by text message, email, voice message— or all three. You can also follow SECO Energy on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest restoration progress, safety information, and storm updates. JULY 2026 | SECO NEWS
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TRUSTEE INSIGHT SECO’S CULTURE OF SAFETY A Message from Morgan Hatfield District 9 Trustee
Living in one of SECO Energy's most rural service areas has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of preparation, safety, and community. When severe storms impact our area, power restoration can take longer because of fallen trees, flooded roads, and the distance crews must travel to reach damaged equipment. That's why being prepared before a storm arrives is so important. I've also seen the best of our communities during difficult times. Neighbors check on one another, churches and community centers provide hot meals, volunteers distribute water and essential supplies, and families share generators and other resources until power is restored. That willingness to lend a helping hand reflects the cooperative spirit that makes our communities so strong. As a SECO Energy Trustee, I know our employees are equally committed to serving our members. Before a storm, crews prepare equipment and response restoration plans so they're ready to restore power as soon as conditions are safe. During restoration, safety guides every decision they make. Each of us has a role to play. Prepare your family before the next storm, stay away from downed power lines, and give utility crews the space they need to work safely. Together, through preparation, patience, and neighbor helping neighbor, we'll weather the storm and recover stronger.
The Board of Trustees will meet on September 28, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices at 330 South US HWY 301 in Sumterville. A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
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SECO Energy earns this award based on data modeled by the ACSI® in 2026. Award criteria are determined by the ACSI based on customers rating their satisfaction with SECO Energy in a survey independent of the syndicated ACSI Energy Utility Study. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org/badges. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.
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