Suwannee Valley
How SVEC preps for hurricane season
MAY 2026
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Award-winning bike trails in your backyard
AROUND THE COMMUNITY SVEC wins Arc lawn mower race, scholarship winners and more
Putting plans into practice
There is always a sense of change around spring, and our part of the country is no exception. Warmer days settle in, afternoon storms become more common, and it isn’t long before we’re keeping a close eye on the forecast. It’s a natural time to start thinking about what the months ahead might bring and how we can be ready for it.
Preparation is key to navigating any challenges that might come our way, whether it’s at home, at work or across an entire electric system. Taking the time to plan ahead can make all the difference. That’s certainly true for us here at Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative as we approach another hurricane season.
As you’ll read in this newsletter, preparing for severe weather is a year-round effort for your cooperative. While restoring power after a storm is often everyone’s first concern, a great deal of work happens long before the first clouds roll in. Our crews are constantly maintaining and inspecting lines, checking poles and equipment and making sure our system is as strong and resilient as possible.
Right-of-way maintenance remains a critical part of that effort. Keeping trees and vegetation clear of power lines helps reduce the likelihood of outages when high winds and heavy rain move through the area. It’s not always easy to see trimming take place, but those proactive steps play a major role in keeping the lights on when conditions turn severe.
At the same time, we’re making preparations behind the scenes that many consumer-members may never see. We coordinate with local emergency management officials, review and update our Emergency Restoration Plan and make arrangements to bring in additional line crews if widespread outages occur. We also work to ensure we have the materials and equipment on hand to respond quickly and safely when they’re needed most.
None of this is theoretical. Over the last few years, our system has been tested by multiple major storms, and each one has reinforced the importance of careful planning and constant improvement. Every storm provides valuable lessons, and we use those experiences to strengthen our response for the future.
While we can’t stop storms from coming, we can control how prepared we are to meet them. Our goal is always the same: to restore power as quickly and safely as possible while minimizing disruptions for our members.
As we move into the heart of storm season, I encourage you to make your own preparations too. Having a plan in place for your household can provide peace of mind when storms threaten. As usual, there will be more to come on how each of you can do that in upcoming newsletters.
Please know that no matter what the season brings, your cooperative will be ready. We’re committed to doing everything we can to keep your lights on and to be there when you need us most. ■
Suwannee Valley May 2026
Suwannee
Executive VP/CEO
MICHAEL S. McWATERS
Don’t get left in the dark
INFORM SVEC ABOUT MEDICAL NECESSITIES
Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative knows many of our members have unique medical needs. If you or someone in your household uses medical equipment and devices that depend on electricity, please notify SVEC so we can tell you about planned or extended outages. Make sure SVEC has your current information on file.
To register medical needs with SVEC and update your information, please visit our office or download and provide us with the Medical Necessity Form available at svec-coop.com/member-services/ medical-necessity.
Register with your county health department
The Florida Department of Health encourages citizens with special medical needs to register with their county’s health department. Information submitted to the registry will only be used for planning and, if necessary, to provide emergency or disaster services.
Florida residents can register using the online Florida Special Needs Registry, snr.flhealthresponse.com.
Residents of Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties can also request a special needs registration form by visiting or calling their local health department:
• Columbia County Health Department 217 NE Franklin St., Lake City 386-758-1068
• Hamilton County Health Department 209 Central Ave. SE, Jasper 386-792-1414
• Lafayette County Health Department 140 SW Virginia Circle, Mayo 386-294-1321
• Suwannee County Health Offices 915 Nobles Ferry Road, Live Oak 386-362-2708
Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.
The drive-thru payment kiosk will be available. Outages may be reported through SmartHub, texting "OUT" to 800-752-0025, or by calling 800-752-0025.
Speeds up to 2 Gigs available. Visit rapid-fiber.com for more details.
Built before the storm
SVEC prepares year-round to keep the lights on
When a summer storm disrupts service, trucks roll out immediately so line crews can get the lights flickering back to life. What may not be seen is the work that happens long before the first storm clouds form.
At Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, storm preparedness isn’t just a checklist, it’s a year-round commitment.
“Preparation and action, that’s really what it comes down to,” SVEC Chief Operating Officer Trevor Touchton says. “You can talk about it all day, but being able to do it and repeat it is what matters.”
Before hurricane season begins in June, SVEC crews are working to strengthen the system. Routine equipment maintenance and right-of-way clearing prevent outages. Every pole inspected, every tree limb trimmed enhances reliability.
“We know every pole we put in the ground could be something we have to replace after a storm, so we prepare for that,” Touchton says.
Once hurricane season ends, preparation for the next begins. In December and January, what worked and what didn’t over the previous six months are studied, along with where improvements can be made.
“It’s about being honest with yourself,” Touchton says. “Where could we have done better? Then you fix it before the next storm comes.”
Planning the response
As spring approaches, preparations shift into high gear. SVEC secures contracts for additional line crews, vegetation teams and base camp support. This year, that process has expanded through coordination with the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association, allowing co-ops across the state to work together to secure resources.
At the same time, the cooperative stocks up on poles, transformers, wire and necessary hardware so crews have what they need for their restoration efforts.
“You’ve got to be ready for everything,” Touchton says.
“From manpower to materials to making sure people have a place to sleep and eat, you’ve got to cover it all.”
SVEC coordinates closely with county emergency management teams and utility partners like Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light and Seminole Electric Cooperative to ensure restoration efforts are aligned across shared systems. That coordination helps streamline communication and ensures power is restored as efficiently as possible across the region.
“It’s about making sure everybody’s on the same page before anything happens,” Touchton says.
Practice + logistics = speed
SVEC regularly reviews its Emergency Restoration Plan, conducting dry runs and internal exercises to ensure every employee understands his or her role. In the field, crews
study their service areas, learning alternate routes, line configurations and potential trouble spots before a storm ever arrives.
internet connectivity even if power is lost at those locations. That connectivity supports both members and first responders, who rely on access to communication during emergencies.
Local preparation efforts were put to the test in a big way with the onslaught of three major storms in 2023 and 2024.
Hurricanes Idalia, Debby and Helene activated every aspect of the cooperative’s planning and reinforced the value of thinking ahead.
To reduce travel time and improve efficiency, SVEC sets up strategic locations across its service territory, called laydown yards, where materials can be staged and distributed quickly. Instead of relying solely on its main campus, crews can access supplies closer to where they’re working, saving valuable time during restoration.
“You don’t want to figure things out in the middle of a storm,” Touchton says. “You want to already know. It’s about cutting down that windshield time and getting materials where they need to be faster.”
SVEC’s storm readiness extends to its Rapid Fiber Internet system. Fiber infrastructure at substations is equipped with backup generators, helping maintain
SVEC’s campus can support more than 2,000 personnel during restoration efforts, creating a self-contained hub for crews arriving from throughout the Southeast. Those crews often work long days under challenging conditions, driven by a shared mission.
“It’s like a small city,” Touchton says. “You’re feeding people, housing them, fueling trucks, everything it takes to keep them working. They show up for those 16-hour days and keep going. That’s true grit.”
Always looking ahead
SVEC constantly evaluates potential challenges, from fuel availability to material access, and looks for ways to improve before the next storm forms. For members, that preparation means confidence. When storms arrive, SVEC is ready, not just to respond, but to respond safely, efficiently and effectively.
“With the right planning, the right preparation and the right team, you can do this,” Touchton says. “You can respond quickly, you can respond safely, and you can take care of your members.”
And long before the winds pick up, that work is well underway. ■
SVEC’s Live Oak headquarters is transformed into a complex of tents and trailers to support recovery workers.
SVEC stockpiles equipment, large and small, in preparation for major storms.
ABOVE: A fleet of bucket trucks gather for recovery after Hurricane Debby.
LEFT: After a full day in the field, workers eat a meal at SVEC’s storm base camp.
Sweet Spring Corn and Tomato Salad
INGREDIENTS
2 medium tomatoes, cored and chopped into ½-inch chunks
1¼ teaspoons salt, divided
2½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
5 cups fresh corn kernels cut off the cob
(4-5 ears of corn)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
½ teaspoon black pepper
1½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 ounce crumbled feta cheese
DIRECTIONS
Place the chopped tomatoes in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of the salt. Stir to combine. Transfer the tomatoes to a colander and set the colander on top of the bowl. Leave the tomatoes to drain for 30 minutes.
Safety first
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet or saute pan. On medium high, heat the oil and then add the corn. Stir to coat it well. Cook the corn for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Transfer the cooked corn to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped chives, black pepper, white wine vinegar, the remaining ¾ teaspoon of salt and the remaining 1½ tablespoons of olive oil. Stir to combine. Spread the mixture out a bit in the bowl and allow it to cool for about 20 minutes.
Once the corn mixture is cool, add the drained tomatoes and chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Let the mixture sit in the bowl for another 30 minutes to better absorb all the flavors.
Stir in the crumbled feta cheese before serving. ■
Electricity powers modern life, but it is dangerous if not handled carefully. Check back here each month for new tips on how to stay safe around electric power at your home or business. May is Electrical Safety Month, so it’s the perfect time to review a few simple ways to ensure you’re doing all you can to prevent any shocking accidents.
• Be vigilant when it comes to smoke alarms and carbon dioxide detectors. Test them monthly, replace batteries yearly and place them in all key areas of the home, especially where anyone sleeps.
• Inspect all electrical cords for visible cracking or fraying. Replace damaged cords.
• If an outlet is hot, discolored, has a burning odor or frequently trips its breaker, stop using it immediately and call a licensed electrician.
To learn more about building safe electric habits, click the Outages & Safety tab on svec-coop.com, and follow us on social media. /sveccoop @sveccoop
• Slight warmth of an outlet is not unusual during heavy use, but noticeable warmth under light or no load signals potential dangers. Unplug all attached devices and see if the outlet cools down. If not, seek professional attention. ■
Go biking off the beaten path
BY VISIT FLORIDA STAFF
Florida’s award-winning network of biking trails provides abundant opportunities to enjoy peaceful rides, from remote off-road adventures to nearby hidden gems. Here are some under-the-radar options to check out.
Nature Coast State Trail
Explore 32 miles of rural North Central Florida on the lush paths of the Nature Coast State Trail as it rolls through Dixie, Levy and Gilchrist counties, tracing the historic route of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The trail is paved and T-shaped, not linear like most bike paths. You’ll find the intersection at Wilcox Junction, with the nearest trailhead located in Fanning Springs.
Trail highlights include abundant deer, turkeys and other wildlife and a ride across the early-1900s, red steel trestle bridge spanning the Suwannee River. Most of the route is aligned with U.S. Highway 19 and State Road 26, with trailheads sited within the five linked downtown
villages, making it easy to access the trail as well as being handy for places to stay and eat.
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
A 10-foot-wide paved railbed, the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is only 16 miles long, but it traverses some of the most scenic areas found on any bike path, making it a favorite ride of nature-seekers.
The trail and a grassy equine path alongside it head east from the gorgeous Boulware Springs Park and Historic Waterworks, the site of Gainesville’s first settlement, complete with picnic facilities, parking and a place to unload horses. On its way to rural Hawthorne, the trail crosses Prairie Creek as it passes through the 22,000-acre Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.
The path offers a series of small hills — a rarity among rail-trails — as well as gracefully arched plank bridges traversing several creeks and informative markers with details
about the area’s rich history of plantations, citrus groves and cattle ranches. Several tiny rail-station towns still survive.
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
Stretching from coastal Citrus County northeast to the St. Johns River, this 110-mile greenway celebrates the beauty and variety of Florida’s natural resources with biking trails that range from wild to mild.
One of the unique features of the Cross Florida Greenway is a land bridge that allows wildlife like bobcats, coyote, wild turkey and Florida black bears — as well as nonmotorized travelers like bikers, hikers and horseback riders — to pass safely over Interstate 75 near Ocala. The 200-foot-long structure, completed in 2000, has the distinct honor of being America’s first land bridge.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLORIDA STATE PARKS
A rider takes in the scenery along the 10-foot-wide Gainesville-Hawthorne rail-trail.
Trails along the Cross Florida Greenway range from mild to wild.
Making the cut at Lawn Mower Race
SVEC mowed over the competition and took the top spot in the 28th Annual Lawn Mower Race in Live Oak on April 11.
The first-place trophy awarded to each member of our threeperson team was a sweet prize, but the real winners in this fun-filled event are the people in our community served by The Arc North Florida. Proceeds raised by the event benefit individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities within our service territory.
Racers compete on provided lawn mowers on a relay-style course and take part in a number of pit stop challenges along the way. In one of these pit challenges hosted each year by SVEC, racers have to remove nuts from bolts. This may not sound too challenging, but it is—the racer has to perform the task while wearing lineworker gloves.
Welcome to Watts Up Wednesdays
Watts Up Wednesdays are here to bring the co-op to the community. On the fourth Wednesday of each month, SVEC member services employees will meet with members from 9 a.m. to noon in the professional office space at Advent Christian Village to provide account assistance.
Join us at ACV to inquire about your account or service, make an account payment either by card or check or simply to stop by and say hey. No appointment is necessary. We look forward to seeing and serving you!
Students at Suwannee Pineview Elementary used creativity and problem-solving skills to design carriers that would keep their eggs safe during a drop from the top of our bucket truck. With plenty of splats, laughs, and flying successes, it's a tradition we look forward to every year.
