Hurricane Nicole Wind/Rain Bands Hit SECO Energy Territory
November 10, 2022 – Hurricane Nicole made landfall on Florida’s east coast as a category one storm overnight. Wind and rain bands quickly began crossing SECO Energy service territory. The not-for-profit cooperative’s infrastructure currently has 1,476 members without power and a total of 120 individual outages. Bands will circle throughout the day bringing continued wind and rain.
When winds reach 35 mph, line and tree crews must discontinue restoration efforts for safety reasons. Since the wind and rain began overnight, SECO has only had to intermittently discontinue restoration efforts due to winds. SECO crews and contractor line/tree crews will work round the clock until the last member has service restored. Members can use StormCenter, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date.
CEO Curtis Wynn assured members that SECO Energy is well prepared for this late-season storm. Wynn stated, “We are StormReady and are responding to outages caused by Hurricane Nicole’s wind and rain bands. I urge our members to wait until after the bands pass to assess damage and to stay clear of any downed power lines. I also encourage members with smartphones and tablets to use StormCenter for their outage and restoration communication needs.”
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 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 how to prepare for before, during and after a storm.
SECO Energy’s outage map as of 9 AM Thursday, November 10, 2022.
“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see reliability and expansion projects 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.
