Currents-June 2020

JUNE 2020

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to November 30

Preparing for the storm

Michael S. McWaters Executive V.P./CEO

“It’s just as important

for each of our members to make their own preparations for storm season.

”

2 | June 2020

Floridians know a thing or two about storms. Most days, we get to enjoy the beautiful sunshine our state is known for. But each year, we also know we will face a hurricane season that could prove challenging.

That’s why it’s important to take a moment to make sure we have made all the necessary preparations before the clouds start gathering. With that in mind, I would like to remind our consumermembers of all the steps Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative has taken to both prevent outages and ensure those that we can’t avoid are brief.

In the last year, SVEC has inspected hundreds of poles to confirm their structural integrity and has trimmed trees along over 1,000 miles of electric lines to help prevent outages caused by falling limbs.

These efforts are part of the annual system maintenance to prepare our system to stand up to the inevitable storms. Since last summer, we have also been testing sturdier tree wire, designed to provide extra protection for power lines when debris or wildlife come into contact with them.

SVEC also continues to benefit from our Advanced Meter Infrastructure, which helps quickly pinpoint the cause of an outage so line crews know exactly where to go. Our automated vehicle location system even lets dispatchers coordinate crews across the entire system, while the cooperative’s on-site fuel station allows SVEC

crews to respond to outage reports even when local gas stations are without power or fuel.

All of those steps and more added up to SVEC’s most reliable year ever in 2019. The average amount of time a residential member was without power due to controllable circumstances was two and a half hours, a 51% reduction since 2014.

That wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our employees. Their efforts have made our system more storm-resistant than it has ever been.

But even so, it can never be entirely storm-proof. Persistent winds and rain are bound to cause outages, which is why we regularly update our Emergency Response Plan so everyone at the cooperative knows their role in getting the lights back on.

As always, we appreciate your patience as our crews make repairs.

When storms do hit, we send linemen and other critical staff into the field as soon as they can safely begin to assess and repair the damage. After the well-being of our employees, the cooperative’s priority is restoring power to as many members as possible in the shortest amount of time.

It’s just as important for each of our members to make their own preparations for storm season. We hope this guide will be a valuable resource for keeping you and your family safe. If you’re looking for more information, please check Page 5 for additional sources.

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DISASTER SUPPLY KIT CHECKLIST A Family Disaster Supply Kit is essential in planning for a disaster.

Your Disaster Supply Kit should include the following items.

¨ Water (1 gallon per person per day for 7 days) ¨ Non-perishable food ¨ Sterile gauze pads ¨ Flashlight and batteries ¨ NOAA weather radio ¨ First aid kit ¨ At least two weeks supply of medication, medical supplies used regularly and a list of allergies ¨ Information about where you receive medication, the name of the drug, and dosage ¨ Medical records and primary care physician contact information ¨ List of the style, serial number and manufacturer information of needed medical devices ¨ Service animal I.D., veterinary records, and proof of ownership ¨ Supplies for your service animal ¨ Special needs items Be sure to include specialty items for infants, small children, the elderly, and those family members with a disability.

¨ Clothing

Include seasonal or rain gear and sturdy shoes or boots.

¨ Vehicle

Keep your motor vehicle tanks filled with gasoline

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First Aid Kit ¨ First Aid Manual ¨ Sterile adhesive bandages of different sizes ¨ Sterile gauze pads ¨ Hypoallergenic adhesive tape ¨ Triangular bandages ¨ Scissors ¨ Tweezers ¨ Sewing needle ¨ Moistened towellettes ¨ Antiseptic ¨ Thermometer ¨ Tube of petroleum jelly ¨ Safety pins ¨ Soap ¨ Latex gloves ¨ Sunscreen ¨ Aspirin or other pain reliever ¨ Anti-diarrhea medicine ¨ Antacid ¨ Laxative ¨ Activated charcoal Special needs items

Enough for at least up to seven (7) days, nonperishable packaged or canned food and beverages, snack foods, juices, baby food, and any special dietary needs.

¨ Non-electric can opener ¨ Paper plates ¨ Napkins ¨ Plastic cups ¨ Utensils

¨ Flashlight

Do not use candles and be sure to have enough batteries.

¨ Radio

Battery operated or hand cranked radio, a NOAA weather radio

¨ Cash

Banks and ATMs may not be available after a storm.

Important Documents ¨ Insurance cards ¨ Medical records ¨ Bank numbers ¨ Credit card numbers ¨ Copy of social security card ¨ Copies of birth and/or marriage certificates ¨ Other personal documents ¨ Set of car, house, and office keys Items should be kept in a water proof container ¨ Important phone numbers

Maintain a list of important phone numbers including county emergency management office, evacuation sites, doctors, banks, schools, veterinarian, and a number for our of town contact.

Pet care items ¨ Pet food and water ¨ Proper identification ¨ Medical records ¨ A carrier or cage ¨ Muzzle and leash ¨ Water and food bowls ¨ Medications

June 2020 | 3

Before the storm...

• • • • •

Prepare your emergency water supply.

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings.

Use storm shutters or board up windows to protect your home from high winds and debris.

Secure or store loose yard items like patio furniture or garbage cans.

Consider purchasing flood insurance, as regular home insurance may not cover flood hazards.

• Keep important documents like insurance information updated in case they are needed for emergency response.

• Make sure SVEC has your current contact information.

• Make sure vehicles have full tanks of gas and are operating properly in case an evacuation is needed.

During the storm...

• Take refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.

Always stay indoors.

• Use flashlights, not candles, during any power outage.

• Stay away from floodwaters, as they may contain sewage or dangerous animals such as poisonous snakes.

• Only use generators if they are outside and away from windows.

Get restoration updates: svec-coop.com/storm-updates

Facebook.com/sveccoop

4 | June 2020

@SVEC_COOP_FL WQHL 98.1 FM (Tune in from 8 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.)

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Report an outage: SmartHub |

After the storm...

800-752-0025

• • • • •

Use protective gear like gloves during any cleanup.

Avoid any power lines, as they may still carry electricity.

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

Report any electrical outages in your area to SVEC. 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.

• Document any property damage with photos. Contact your insurance company about any damage sustained.

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

Hurricane Preparedness Resources

Access these websites to complete your preparations for a coming storm: Your Co-op

svec-coop.com

Florida Division of Emergency Management

floridadisaster.org

National Hurricane Center

nhc.noaa.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

fema.gov

Ready (From the Department of Homeland Security)

ready.gov

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June 2020 | 5

Powering up after an outage When the power goes out, we expect it to be restored within a few hours. But when a major storm or natural disaster causes widespread damage, extended outages may result. Our line crews work long, hard hours to restore service safely to the greatest number of consumers in the shortest time possible. Here’s what’s going on if you find yourself in the dark:

1. High-Voltage Transmission Lines

Transmission towers and cables that supply power to substations (and thousands of consumers) rarely fail.

But when damaged, these facilities must be repaired before other parts of the system can operate.

2. Distribution Substations

3. Main Distribution Feeders

If the problem is not located within the substation, distribution feeder lines are checked. These lines carry power to large groups of consumers in communities or housing developments.

Each substation serves hundreds or thousands of consumers. When a major outage occurs, line crews inspect substations to determine if problems stem from transmission lines feeding into the substation or equipment in the substation itself.

4. Tap Lines

If local outages persist, smaller supply lines (also known as tap lines) are inspected. These lines deliver power to transformers, either mounted on poles or placed on pads, outside businesses, schools and homes.

5. Individual Homes

If your home remains without power, the service line between a transformer and your residence may need to be repaired. Always call to report an outage to help SVEC isolate local issues.

6 | June 2020

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Who is responsible for fixing what?

If your electrical components are damaged, you may be responsible for repairs. Identify your type of service connection below to learn what your responsibilities are. You may need to complete repairs before power can be restored to your home.

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Note: Member is also responsible for any pole with a meter attached to it.

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June 2020 | 7

Lines of communication

Emergencies like hurricanes highlight the importance of good communication, including staying on top of rapidly changing weather conditions and executing evacuation plans.

Staying informed Effective hurricane preparedness plans begin with knowing an approaching storm’s potential risk. Small deviations in a storm’s track or slight changes in strength can dramatically increase or decrease the effects you might experience.

Monitor weather reports via local and national media sources, including National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-based websites like the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service. Listening to a NOAA weather radio is also recommended.

Evacuating vs. sheltering Information gathered from preliminary weather reports can help you determine whether you need to evacuate or shelter in place. Always obey any mandatory evacuation orders. If you live in a mobile home or a flood-prone area, consider relocating to safer shelters or areas.

Let loved ones know where you plan to go in an evacuation. Check hotel or shelter availability frequently along planned evacuation routes. These facilities can fill quickly ahead of a hurricane landfall.

Those evacuating should have a plan to communicate with loved ones that they are safe and to be able to learn when it is safe to return home.

If you choose to stay home, continue to monitor weather reports and have ways of receiving emergency alerts in case a danger like a tornado or flash flood arises during the hurricane.

Of course, if you rely on life-supporting medical equipment, you should always be prepared to go to a location that has power until power is restored to your residence.

Check our updated outage map 850-878-6080

Suwannee River Economic Council 386-362-4115 ext. 231

Visit SVEC’s improved outage map at outages.svec-coop. com or on the SmartHub mobile app to track restoration progress in your area. View the map to see:

• • • • • •

Outages under investigation Verified outages Crew assignments The numbers of meters in your area affected for each outage Outage history and causes Weather projections