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Currents Suwannee Valley

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov. 30

JUNE 2025

CEO’S MESSAGE Suwannee Valley

Ready for the storm For Floridians, Hurricane Season is more than just a window on the calendar. It’s a reality we live with and a challenge that tests our strength and preparedness as a community each year. As we face the possibility of new storms, I’m reminded that our resilience isn’t just about withstanding the wind and the rain. It’s also about how we come together as a community during and after the storms that so often batter our states.

Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative understands that preparation is our first line of defense when it comes to weathering storms. It isn’t just about having backup supplies ready or other utilities on call. It’s about working each day in a way that protects our members and our system. Every pole that we inspect, every line we reinforce and every emergency plan we refine in the days and weeks before a single drop of rain falls is a testament to our co-op’s commitment to safety and service. In recent years, we faced some humbling storms. Executive VP/CEO MICHAEL S. MCWATERS We’ve seen how quickly a calm morning can give way to chaos and just how much it takes to recover from the full force of a major hurricane. But we also learned some valuable lessons about what works and what doesn’t. And we have seen the incredible power of our cooperative community, from our lineworkers in the field to our office staff working overtime to support them. This year’s hurricane preparation guide draws on those lessons. No two storms are the same, and none of our consumer-members has the same needs as anyone else. As a result, we hope this guide can serve not just as a set of instructions but as a road map that will be adaptable to your circumstances. From a detailed emergency supply checklist to a step-by-step reminder of what to expect from the restoration process, we have crafted this guide to give you the confidence and knowledge you need to feel prepared going into this hurricane season, whatever it might bring. Whether you’re a longtime veteran of Florida storms or a new arrival, we hope that there will be something to help everyone prepare and respond to severe weather. As a cooperative, our commitment to you goes beyond simply providing electricity. When storms strike, we don’t just react. We respond with speed, precision and unwavering dedication because we know how important the service we provide is for our consumer-members. I hope each of you will take some time to carefully review this guide and discuss it with your family. A little bit of time spent preparing emergency kits, making a plan and understanding the restoration process can go a long way if you find yourself in an unpredictable situation. Together, we can keep each other and our community safe through the storms. ■

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Currents June 2025

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: Trucks plow through flooded streets in the wake of a hurricane. The end of a major storm rarely means the danger has passed, so keep this guide handy to be prepared before, during and after a hurricane. See more, Page 3.

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A family storm kit is essential in planning for a disaster 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 Keep your vehicles’ tanks filled with gasoline Pet care items Pet food and water Bowls for food and water Proper identification Pet carrier or cage Muzzle and leash Medications

Special needs items At least a seven-day supply of nonperishable, packaged or canned food and beverages, snack foods, juices, baby food and any special dietary needs Flashlight — Do not use candles, and be sure to have enough batteries. Battery-operated or hand-cranked NOAA weather radio Cash — Banks and ATMs may not be available after a storm. Bank account and credit card numbers Insurance cards Medical records Other personal documents Nonelectric can opener Paper plates Napkins Plastic cups Utensils Set of car, house and office keys Waterproof container for storing items Important phone numbers, including family, friends, county emergency management, doctors, banks, schools, veterinarian and SVEC’s outage reporting number, 800-752-0025

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.

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JUNE 2025 | 3

REPORTING AN OUTAGE HAS NEVER BEEN

easier

Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative works 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

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

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Generator

MOVE SAFETY OVER 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.

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.

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JUNE 2025 | 5

Who fixes electric equipment? When storms damage electrical components, members often assume the cooperative bears responsibility for repairs. But depending on where the equipment is located, some repairs are 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.

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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.

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JUNE 2025 | 7

SVEC IN THE COMMUNITY

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. Stay away from downed power lines.

Stay up-to-date

on repairs

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

svec-coop.com/storm-updates

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

instagram.com/sveccoop

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

facebook.com/sveccoop

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

WQHL 98.1 FM, Live Oak and WJHC 107.5 FM, Jasper (Tune in from 8-9 a.m. and 5-6 p.m.)

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.

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Suwannee Valley Currents