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July 2024 Sunshine State Stats

In July 2024, the average high and low temperatures climbed higher from last month, along with increased lightning and thunderstorms across Central Florida. The month’s average high was 94 degrees, and the low was 76, both temperatures were 1 degree higher than June. The average high for July increased by 2 degrees and the average low was 1 degree higher than the “normal” average temperatures as recorded at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE). The month’s highest temperature was recorded on July 8, touching 97 degrees; the lowest temperature was 72 degrees and occurred on July 19.  

Reported rainfall in July totaled 4.11 inches, 1.66 inches lower than in June and 1.56 inches lower than the “normal” amount for July. Measurable rainfall for July began on the 4th and occurred on 16 of 31 days. The rainiest day was July 19, when 1.02 inches fell.  

 

WeatherSentry detected 28,330 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport in July. The most active period was the last 15 days of the month when lightning struck 19,659 times versus 8,671 times during the first 16 days.  

 

Lightning Archive Report – 20-mile radius from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) 

Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com 

 

Cloud to Ground Lightning – July 1-16, 2024  (8,671 strikes)  

 

Cloud to Ground Lightning – July 17-31, 2024  (19,659  strikes)  

 

Thunderstorms are a frequent occurrence in the summer in Central Florida. SECO Energy reminds members to seek shelter promptly if a thunderstorm approaches. 

 

August Forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac  weather forecast for August 2024 predicts warm and mild temperatures with thunderstorms in the north and sunshine in the south the first 6 days, followed by 5 days of isolated thunderstorms, and 8 days of sunny weather in the north and thunderstorms in the south. The forecast projects additional thunderstorms in the south and a hurricane threat for the north between August 25-28, followed by 3 days of sunny and warm conditions. 

 

The estimated average temperature for August is 85 degrees, and the expected rainfall is 7 inches, 1 inch below average. 

 

 

Stay Informed 

StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage, and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice, or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark it on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily. 

 

 

Protect Your Appliances 

Power surges are sudden, powerful increases in voltage that can damage or destroy household appliances and electronics. SECO Energy’s Surge Mitigator™ program offers a meter-based surge arrester designed to protect large appliances, such as motors and compressors, by reducing surges at the meter before they enter your home. Members can lease or purchase the Surge MitiGator surge protection program by completing a contact form. 

 

 

Hurricane Preparedness 

Hurricane Season is now in its third month. It’s crucial to prepare in advance for any storm. Refer to the SECO Energy Hurricane Handbook available online here, or pick up a printed copy at one of our Member Service Centers.  

 

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools 

Log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts to check historical usage. If you want help reducing your energy usage, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.  

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.

SECO Energy Completes Restoration from Hurricane Debby

SECO Energy is pleased to announce that power has been fully restored to all members following the impact of Hurricane Debby. The system made landfall near Steinhatchee early Monday morning, causing widespread outages across Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, and Sumter counties. 

 

The Category One hurricane brought sustained winds of up to 85 mph and heavy rainfall, leading to extensive flooding and damage. In SECO Energy’s service area, downed power lines, damaged poles, fallen trees, and standing water disrupted electric service to thousands of members. The not-for-profit cooperative’s infrastructure experienced over 400 outages, affecting over 37,000 total accounts. By midnight on Monday, SECO had fully restored service to all members.

 

SECO Energy’s Chief Operating Officer, John LaSelva,   commended the cooperative’s employees for their dedication and hard work.  “Our team was well-prepared for Hurricane Debby’s approach days before landfall. Without question, SECO Energy’s line crews, support staff, and contractors worked tirelessly around the clock assessing damage, repairing infrastructure, and restoring power as quickly and safely as possible. The hurricane’s strong winds and torrential rain made efforts challenging, but the SECO team and outside personnel remained resilient and focused on restoring service to every member.” 

 

Members are encouraged to use StormCenter, SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform to report outages, check the status of an existing outage, and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark it on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily.  

 

For storm preparation and safety tips, SECO Energy’s Hurricane Handbook provides valuable information on how to prepare before, during, and after a storm. 

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on X for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com> Your Co-op>About. 

SECO Energy Crews Work Overnight Through Hurricane Debby 

SECO Energy experienced widespread outages overnight, leaving over 10,000 accounts without power across Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, and Sumter counties as Hurricane Debby moved through the Gulf of Mexico. SECO Energy is calling in outside contractors and fellow cooperative personnel to assist in restoration from Hurricane Debby.

 

SECO Energy crews worked overnight Sunday to restore electric service to homes and businesses that lost power but were forced to temporarily delay restoration efforts due to high winds as formerly Tropical Storm Debby strengthened to hurricane status. It is unsafe to raise truck buckets in winds higher than 35 mph. Fortunately, restoration work has now resumed with subsiding winds. 

 

The eyewall of Hurricane Debby made landfall early this morning in the Big Bend area near Steinhatchee as a Category 1 storm. As of 5 a.m. Monday, Hurricane Debby had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and is moving north-northeast at 10 mph. SECO crews are still battling tropical wind conditions, flooding, and high-water areas. The NHC forecast indicates rain and gusty winds will continue in SECO’s service area for most of Monday and into Tuesday. The possibility of tornadoes and flash floods continues. The current National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast predicts Debby will rapidly weaken as it moves inland across northern Florida and southeastern Georgia later today through Tuesday.

 

CEO Curtis Wynn encourages members to practice safety as Hurricane Debby linger. Wynn stated, “During storms and power outages, it’s crucial to exercise extreme caution around downed power lines and trees in our area. Always treat any fallen line as if it’s energized and dangerous. To keep your family safe, ensure children stay indoors and away from potential hazards. If you’re without power and decide to use a generator, follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines. If you experience a medical emergency or other life-threatening hazard, call 911 right away.” 

 

 

SECO’s Emergency Restoration Plan determines the system’s restoration priority for each affected feeder. Essential services such as hospitals, shelters, schools, and government agencies are the highest priority. Line repairs that will restore power to large groups of members are next, feeders that serve large commercial services and then individual electric services in less populated areas. 

 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for 54 Florida counties on Thursday, August 1, and added seven additional counties on Friday, August 2. County Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in Central Florida are monitoring Hurricane Debby’s impact. For a list of shelters, including general, pet-friendly, and special needs, visit FloridaDisaster.org. SECO members who require continuous electric service to power life-sustaining medical equipment should have a backup power source or relocate to a shelter. Special needs shelters are open in every county SECO serves.   

 

StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage, and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice, or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark it on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily. 

 

Major weather events can cause extended power outages. SECO Energy reminds members to follow safety protocols when using a generator during a power outage. Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO) that is odorless and colorless. Thousands of people die each year from CO poisoning. Never operate a generator in an enclosed space, including a garage. Always place the generator at least 15 to 20 feet away from your home and never near open windows. 

 

Before operating a generator, thoroughly read and review the owner’s manual. Never plug a generator directly into an electrical outlet. This current flow is deadly for utility personnel. Keep children away from an operating generator and store fuel in approved containers. Do not smoke while fueling a generator. Always operate a generator in a dry space. If it is raining, use a canopy or cover. SECO Energy’s Hurricane Handbook includes generator safety tips and instructions on preparing before, during, and after a storm. 

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on X for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>About. 

SECO Energy Prepares for Potential Tropical Cyclone 4

SECO Energy is preparing for the possibility that Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 will affect parts of its service territory. Forecasts predict the system could develop into a tropical storm and impact Florida as early as Saturday night.

 

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Potential Tropical Cyclone 4’s current wind speeds are 30 mph, and the system is moving northwest at 16 mph. Potential Tropical Cyclone 4’s track remains uncertain as it approaches Florida. Current modeling suggests the system will remain on a west-northwest path and strengthen over the next 48 hours, potentially developing into a hurricane.

 

If Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 follows its projected path, SECO Energy members could experience tropical storm conditions and significant rainfall over the weekend and into early next week. Tornados spawned by tropical force winds are also a threat.

 

Take time today to prepare your family and home. Monitor weather reports and prepare in advance for Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 to make landfall in SECO Energy’s service territory.

 

StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage, and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice, or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark it on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily.

 

SECO has designed a new Hurricane Handbook to help members prepare before, during, and after a storm. The Hurricane Handbook is available online.

 

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases, and cooperative updates by “liking” and “following” SECO Energy on Facebook and X.

SECO News August 2024

 

Wynn's Wire

 

 

DEAR MEMBERS,

 

At SECO Energy, our goal goes beyond keeping the lights on. We strive to provide you with the most reliable and trustworthy service possible. The Oxford English Dictionary defines reliability as “the quality of being able to be trusted to do what somebody wants or needs.” Trustworthiness is essential to steering our responsibility to you, our valued members.

 

Our teams works diligently every day, proactively planning to ensure your homes and businesses have the power they need to thrive. While we strive to maintain uninterrupted power, sometimes factors out of our control, such as severe weather, wildlife interference, or other events, may cause temporary outages. In such cases, you can rest assured that our teams are swiftly dispatched to restore power quickly and safely. Our local Call Center is available for questions and concerns, and a whole cast of employees supports restoration efforts behind the scenes.

 

We recognize that transparent communication and exceptional member service are fundamental to reinforcing your confidence in us. That’s why we actively seek your feedback to continually enhance our service’s efficiency and ensure we meet and exceed expectations.

 

Looking ahead, SECO Energy is enthusiastic about the future. Our Strategic and Smart Grid Technology Roadmaps prioritize ongoing investments in cutting-edge technology, infrastructure enhancements, and innovative energy solutions to meet the evolving needs of the rapidly growing communities we serve. Our focus on reliability and trustworthiness remains steadfast, ensuring that you can count on us every step of the way. 

 

Sincerely,

 

CURTIS WYNN

Chief Executive Officer

 

 


 

 

SECO News August 2024 What Does Reliability Mean to SECO Energy

 

Reliability to SECO Energy means consistent, dependable service and being a trusted energy provider that invests in grid-hardening strategies, technological advancements, and services to assist our members to prevent outages, and maintain a stable energy supply to enhance service delivery.

 

GRID HARDENING STRATEGIES

  • Strategic vegetation management schedules
  • Overhead and underground facility inspections
  • Conversion to underground facilities in areas with frequent vegetation and reliability issues due to storms
  • Approximately 90% of new lines installed underground
  • Balanced and diversified energy portfolio
  • Routine maintenance to replace damaged and outdated poles and equipment
  • Upgrading transmission poles to concrete

 

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

  • Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
  • Transition from high-pressure sodium (HPS) area lighting to light-emitting diode (LED) area lighting
  • Conservation Voltage Reduction strategies that reduce demand and energy while lowering wholesale power costs
  • Utilization of drones for infrared inspections of lines, poles, and structures

 

SERVICES

  • Local call center to serve over 500,000 consumers
  • Immediate response to power outages and 24-hour response to area lighting outages
  • SmartHub for monitoring and managing your home’s energy use
  • StormCenter for quickly reporting outages and checking outage status online
  • Emails, texts, and voice alerts with outage updates and community alerts
  • Monthly SECO News with the latest cooperative developments
  • Regular updates on social media

 

Stay Connected with SECO Energy! Like us on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

 

 


 

 

SECO News August 2024 World Class Outage Response

 

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy understands that our members count on us to supply reliable, safe, and affordable electric service. Utilities use three metrics to measure their success in providing an uninterrupted power supply.

 

 

 

SYSTEM AVERAGE INTERRUPTION DURATION INDEX (SAIDI)

 

 

 

SYSTEM AVERAGE INTERRUPTION FREQUENCY INDEX (SAIFI)

 

 

CUSTOMER AVERAGE INTERRUPTION DURATION INDEX (CAIDI)

 

*The national average is based on 2022 utility data using the latest information available.

 

 


 

SECO News August 2024 A Message from Joyce Anderson District 2 Trustee The Cooperative Difference

 

As a member of SECO Energy, I want to share with you the significant differences between our cooperative and investor-owned utilities. SECO Energy is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative that operates under a cooperatives business model that uniquely benefits you and our fellow members.

 

Here are a few differences that make SECO Energy and other cooperatives exceptional.

 

INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES PROVIDE ELECTRIC SERVICE TO “CUSTOMERS”

  • Privately owned and operated for profit, primarily focusing on maximizing shareholder returns
  • Decisions are often centralized and made by corporate executives or distant shareholders
  • Accountable to shareholders, and financial targets take precedence
  • Rates designed to not only cover costs of operation but to generate profits for shareholders
  • Profits are distributed to shareholders outside the local community

 

SECO ENERGY PROVIDES ELECTRIC SERVICE TO “MEMBERS”

  • Owned and governed by members; not-for-profit
  • Decisions made locally by members elected to serve on the Board of Trustees, ensuring member voices are heard and needs are met
  • Accountability directly related to membership, fostering transparency and responsiveness
  • Rates are designed to meet local needs and cover operating expenses and purchased power costs
  • Profits returned to members in the form of capital credits

 

 

Read the full August SECO News.