Central Florida Electric Cooperative Again Prepares for Hurricane

 

CHIEFLAND, Fla. – As hurricane Matthew continues on its path, Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC) has assembled a prepared group of linemen and service restoration personnel, who are ready to assist as needed. CFEC is also ready to bring in additional contractors or request assistance from neighboring cooperatives outside the area to aid members and the community, if the need arises.

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“We are making necessary preparations and are conducting meetings with our staff,” said Ben Dawson, CFEC Chief Operating Officer. “We will continue preparing and we urge our members to take the necessary precautions to be ready as well.”  Dawson added that CFEC has a well-stocked inventory of the material and equipment needed for making repairs, and vendors are prepared to send additional material and equipment if necessary.

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During storm outages, one of CFEC’s priorities is to make repairs that restore service to the most people in the least amount of time. Transmission lines and substations are repaired first, followed by main distribution lines that feed neighborhoods; tap lines and individual service lines are then repaired to restore power to members who may still be without electricity.

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Use these tips to prepare for storms:

• For shelter updates, check with local fire departments and your counties’ emergency management team:

  • Levy- Visit www.Levydisaster.com or call emergency management at 352.486.5213

  • Dixie- Visit www.Dixieemergency.com or call emergency management at 352.498.1231

  • Gilchrist- Visit www.Gilchrist.fl.us or call emergency management at 386.935.5400

  • Alachua- Visit www.Alachuacounty.us or call emergency management at 352.955.1818

 

• If someone in your household depends on electricity to operate life support systems, make plans for alternate sources of power or alternate lodging.

• Determine safe evacuation routes.

• Have a first aid kit on hand, including prescription medication in adequate supply.

• Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators & battery-powered equipment & keep extra batteries on-hand.

• Invest in a battery/solar powered radio and cell phone charger.

• Stock several gallons of drinking water and nonperishable foods.

• Fill bathtubs with water to flush toilets.