Florida PSC Urges Preparedness for Upcoming Hurricane Season

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 31 -- The Florida Public Service Commission issued the following news release:

Forecasters predict yet another unpredictable Hurricane Season is on the way! One sure thing is that the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) has the tools to help you plan for any possible storms this Hurricane Season: June 1 through November 30.

"Florida utilities' storm response and restoration times have greatly improved due to ongoing hurricane preparedness initiatives. But, storm preparation is still key for residents," said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. "You can get started by visiting the PSC's website. We have many helpful storm preparation materials."

To begin your plan, tour the PSC's "Hurricane House." This online guide, available in English and Spanish, includes 19 tips to help prepare your family and your home for severe weather. Tips include everything from planning an evacuation route, to installing carbon monoxide detectors and dealing with downed power lines. The PSC's website also features a consumer tip that details how to make a hurricane kit, as well as a storm preparation consumer tip.

Florida's electric utilities and the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) updated the PSC on their storm preparation efforts on April 20, 2017. (Copies of their presentations are here.) After a hurricane-free decade, Florida felt the impacts from a few storms last year. Both the utilities and DEM reported that lessons learned and new technologies helped them prepare for the 2017 Hurricane Season, and they are ready should a storm reach Florida's shores.

The CEOs of Florida's five investor-owned utilities, along with executives from the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association, the Florida Municipal Electric Association, and DEM, also discussed how customer needs are met during and after storm-related events, including communication and restoration efforts.

Utility storm plans are designed to minimize electrical outages and help communities, businesses, and families return to normalcy as quickly as possible. The plans include PSC-mandated storm preparedness initiatives; facility inspections; maintenance and repairs; flooding and storm surge mitigation; wooden pole inspections; and coordination with other utilities, government, and community groups.

For more information on storm safety and storm-hardening tips, visit the PSC's website, www.floridapsc.com, and the Division of Emergency Management's website, http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.