Currents-June 2024

JUNE 2024

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS

Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov. 30. Are you ready?

2024

CEO’S MESSAGE

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS June 2024

Michael S. McWaters Executive V.P./CEO

Suwannee Valley Currents is a monthly newsletter published by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, © 2024. It is distributed without charge to all consumermembers of the cooperative.

Weathering the storm Most Floridians don’t need to be reminded of the risks that hurricane season poses. Throughout the year we enjoy plentiful sunshine and a temperate climate and, in return, we know that there will be a few months when we need to prepare for torrential downpours and impossibly strong winds.

At this time last year, we hadn’t yet been hit by Hurricane Idalia. We couldn’t have known that just two months later, over 28,000 SVEC consumer-members would find themselves without power and our system would have sustained the most damage in its history. In all, the repairs took the combined effort of thousands of workers and eight days to restore power to the vast majority of our system.

The speed and scale of that response was thanks to two key factors. The first is the cooperative principle that calls on co-ops to help each other in moments of need. Our crews worked hard when Idalia tore through our area, but they never would have been able to handle all the work in front of them without the help of others who came to our rescue.

As a cooperative, we can accept that help gratefully, knowing that soon enough we’ll have the chance to return the favor. This commitment to mutual aid is strong among cooperatives, and I can’t tell you how much peace of mind it brings us to know SVEC always will have a helping hand if we need it.

The second factor is our own preparation. We work hard throughout the year — not just when hurricane 2 | JUNE 2024

season arrives — to make our system stand up stronger to the abuse of a major storm.

Even when a storm like Idalia does unprecedented damage, the response plans we have in place are a lifeline.

Who knows how long it would have taken to organize food, shelter and local guidance for visiting crews without the cool heads and careful planning of our whole cooperative team.

Over the years, we’ve added more resources to our arsenal to respond to outages even faster and more effectively. The storm yard we built at our headquarters in 2021 has certainly been an asset as a base for visiting crews, while the ease of reporting and checking the status of outages by text message helps our crews respond faster than ever.

We do everything in our power to make sure our system is prepared for storms, but it is just as important that each of our members takes time to protect themselves and their loved ones. That’s why we have once again put together this hurricane preparation guide for our consumer-members.

I hope each of you will take some time to look through it before the storm clouds gather. When they do, you can trust SVEC will be ready to act. 

WE BELONG TO THOSE WE SERVE Business Office: 800-447-4509 11340 100th St. Live Oak, FL 32060 Lobby Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday Drive-thru Kiosk Open 24 Hours 24/7 Power Outage Reporting 800-752-0025

svec-coop.com facebook.com/sveccoop Instagram.com/sveccoop SVEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

On the cover: With the support of SVEC, the Smart Garden project is helping researchers better understand the future of hydroponics and indoor agriculture.

See more, Page 4.

Suwannee Valley Currents

STORM KIT CHECKLIST

At a minimum, your storm kit should include the following items: Water (1 gallon per person per day for seven days) Nonperishable food First-aid kit At least a two-week supply of medications and medical supplies used regularly Specialty items for infants, small children, the elderly and those family members with a disability Seasonal or rain gear and sturdy shoes or boots Clothing Vehicle Keep your vehicles’ tanks filled with gasoline

A family storm kit is essential in planning for a disaster

Pet care items Pet food and water Bowls for food and water Proper identification Pet carrier or cage Muzzle and leash Medications

Nonelectric can opener Paper plates, plastic cups Cash — Banks and ATMs may not be available after a storm.

Bank account and credit card numbers Insurance cards Medical records Other personal documents Set of car, house and office keys Waterproof container for storing items

Important phone Special needs items numbers, including: At least a seven-day supply of nonper Family ishable, packaged or canned food and Friends beverages, snack foods, juices, baby County emergency food and any special dietary needs management Flashlight — Do not use candles and be Doctors, banks, schools and veterinarian sure to have enough batteries.

SVEC’s outage reporting Battery-operated or hand-cranked number, 800-752-0025 NOAA weather radio

Access these websites for information on how to prepare for hurricane season svec-coop.com floridadisaster.org

nhc.noaa.gov

Your co-op The Florida Division of Emergency Management Learn about hurricane hazards, what to do when a warning is issued in your area and how to prepare for a storm.

The National Hurricane Center Follow the path of any active hurricane to determine if the forecast places your home in an area likely to be affected.

fema.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency Apply for assistance after a storm hits and learn about flood zones in your community.

ready.gov

Ready (from the Department of Homeland Security) Make a plan, build a preparedness kit and more with tips from this site.

Suwannee Valley Currents

JUNE 2024 | 3

REPORTING AN OUTAGE HAS NEVER BEEN easier We work diligently to fortify our system against storm damage, but outages are inevitable. If you lose power, there are several convenient ways to report the outage and get the lights back on as soon as possible.

Our outage management system uses caller ID to quickly identify your service location based on your phone number. This makes reporting easier for you and helps us respond as quickly as possible. Make sure we have your current phone number on file before you report an outage, or consider signing up to receive outage-related text messages.

To report an outage:

SmartHub

Use the SmartHub mobile app.

Website

Visit svec-coop.com, log in to your account and click on the “My Profile” tab.

Text

Call

Text “out” to 800-752-0025. Dial 800-752-0025 to To enable this option, you report an outage. must first authorize it by texting “SVEC” to 800-7520025. The text option is only available to members with fewer than five accounts.

NOTE

J 4 | June 2024

You may be asked for your meter number. Here’s where you can find it on your meter.

Suwannee Valley Currents

Generator

SAFETY DOS & DON’TS operate your generator in a well-ventilated area outside your home. run it in your garage or near doors, windows and vents. The carbon monoxide produced by a generator could be toxic in an enclosed space. start the generator before connecting appliances. connect a standby generator directly to your home’s electrical system. have a professional install an approved generator transfer switch for a stationary generator — keep your house circuits separate from the cooperative’s. plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on a portable generator. use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect electric appliances to the outlet on the generator.

Move Over It’s the law

If you see stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service or tow vehicles on the side of the road, remember to move over a lane.

If you can’t move over, slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

If the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less, slow down to 5 mph.

Suwannee Valley Currents

JUNE 2024 | 5

Who fixes electric equipment?

When storms damage electrical components, members often assume the cooperative bears responsibility for repairs. But depending on the equipment’s location, some repairs may be your responsibility.

Whether you have above-ground or underground service, you may need to repair certain components before power to your home can be restored. Always put safety first when working with electrical equipment, and call SVEC if you have questions.

-

6 | JUNE 2024

Suwannee Valley Currents

Powering up after an outage Once a storm passes, SVEC crews often work long hours to restore power. It begins with the repairs that get the lights on for the greatest number of people in the shortest time possible. Here’s a breakdown of the steps we take to restore power safely and efficiently.

High-Voltage Transmission Lines These lines serve thousands of consumer-members and must be repaired so other parts of the system can operate..

Main Distribution Feeders

Repairing damage to feeder lines can bring the lights back on for entire communities or housing developments.

Distribution Substations

Each substation serves hundreds, or even thousands, of consumer-members.

Repairing this equipment can restore power to many households at once.

Tap Lines These smaller supply lines are next. They deliver power to transformers outside businesses, schools and homes.

Service Lines Locations still without power may require repairs to the service line between a transformer and the residence or businesses.

Suwannee Valley Currents

JUNE 2024 | 7

WHAT TO DO AFTER THE STORM

After a storm has passed, it’s time to start thinking about what’s next.

With safety in mind: Report any electrical outages in your area to SVEC. Use protective gear, like gloves, during any cleanup.

Always assume downed power lines are energized and stay well away from them.

Never attempt to remove tree limbs or branches from power lines.

Give emergency and utility vehicles the right of way to allow for faster recovery.

If evacuated, monitor reports to determine when it is safe to return home.

Contact friends and family to let them know you are safe.

Stay up-to-date

on power restoration svec-coop.com/storm-updates instagram.com/sveccoop

Stay clear of downed power lines!

Downed power lines can energize the ground for up to 35 feet! If you encounter a downed power line, notify SVEC immediately.

facebook.com/sveccoop WQHL 98.1 FM, Live Oak and WJHC 107.5 FM, Jasper

8 | JUNE 2024

Suwannee Valley Currents