SECO Energy is closely watching the track of Tropical Cyclone Nine that is expected to increase in speed and become Tropical Storm Humberto within the next 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone Nine appears to be on a similar path as Hurricane Dorian that passed Florida earlier this month, but this current tropical system is much weaker.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Cyclone Nine is located over the central Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 25 mph. The current track continues to move further east of Florida posing less of a threat to SECO’s service area. SECO Energy members on the east side of I-75 may experience gusty winds around 35 mph on Saturday and Sunday with passing showers.
SECO Energy Vice President of Operations John LeSalva stated, “Currently, Tropical Cycle Nine is not expected to be a major weather threat for SECO Energy members. We will continue to monitor the cyclone’s track as it moves closer to Florida, but for now it appears that it will remain offshore and bring only rain and winds.”
September is the peak of Atlantic hurricane season and SECO Energy has created a new Hurricane Handbook to help members prepare before, during and after storms. Our Hurricane Handbook is available online at SECOEnergy.com.
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.
Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.
DO I HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER? In early July, the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project updated its 2019 Atlantic hurricane season forecast. CSU predicts six major hurricanes will develop before the end of the season. A major hurricane is categorized as a CAT 3, 4 or 5.
Peak hurricane season is typically in September. Are you ready? Does SECO have the ability to contact you? Have you updated your seldom-used landline number to your cell phone number if you use it primarily? If you call us during peak volume and the phone number doesn’t match an account, your service options may be limited.
How do you update or verify your contact information for account/billing purposes? The easiest way is to visit our homepage and log into SmartHub. Choose “My Profile” then “Update My Billing Address & Contact Information.” Make any necessary changes and choose “Save.” Or, you can email Customer Service. Include name, account number, service address, the last four of the member’s SSN and the updated contact information. You can also call us at (352) 793-3801 or contact us through Facebook private message or Twitter direct message.
Our StormCenter and outage notifications system houses separate contact information that conducts outbound, proactive communications and must be updated as well. Did you know StormCenter will send you an email, or voice message when an outage is detected at your service address? StormCenter will also notify you when the outage is restored as well as cause.
Members have expressed appreciation for the enhanced communications when we are working in your area. Using the StormCenter communications system, SECO notifies you of pre-planned outages, upgrades, tree trimming and system improvement projects scheduled to occur in your neighborhood.
To check your communications preferences, gather a recent bill to find your account number and zip code – you will need both. Then visit SECO Energy and choose StormCenter on the top menu. On the StormCenter page, select “Manage Notifications,” input your account number and zip code or the phone number on file and zip code associated with the account.
Determine your preferred notification whether its email, text or voice message or a combination, add the phone number or contact email. Set “do not disturb” times during the hours you don’t want to be notified. Select notifications for each account if you have multiple accounts.
As an incentive, view or update your contact information on both SmartHub and StormCenter and be entered twice into a drawing to win a $300 bill credit. If you don’t have online access, just call us or note your primary phone number on your payment coupon when paying your bill.
Good luck! The timeframe for the $300 SECO bill credit drawing runs to September 15. We’ll draw a winner on September 16. Stay in touch with SECO and update your contact information today.
Sincerely,
Jim Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
Paying your bill has never been easier! Whether it’s online, by phone or in person, SECO Energy offers 12 convenient ways to pay – most without convenience fees.
PAY ONLINE AT SMARTHUB – View and pay your bill, sign up for bank draft, enroll in eBill and compare energy usage by month or year.
PAY BY BANK DRAFT – Simplify your life – draft your monthly bill amount from a bank account of your choice. Register for bank draft with SmartHub.
PAY IN PERSON – Member Service Centers are located in Eustis, Groveland, Sumterville, Ocala and Inverness with walk-in and drive-thru facilities.
PAY AT A KIOSK – Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at all Member Service Centers. Kiosks accept cash and most credit cards.
PAY BY PHONE – 1-(877) 371-9382, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, debit card or electronic check.
PAY NOW – Pay instantly with just your account number and form of payment through SmartHub – no registration required.
PAY BY MAIL – SECO Energy (Dept # 3035), PO Box 850001, Orlando, FL 32885-3035
MYWAY PREPAY – Pay for energy before you use it with MyWay PrePay. View daily usage and receive phone or text notifications.
FIDELITY EXPRESS – Locations accept cash, check or money orders. $1.50 processing fee. Not recommended for MyWay PrePay members.
MONEYGRAM – Available at many convenient retail locations. MoneyGram is available for MyWay PrePay enrolled members. $1.50 processing fee.
WESTERN UNION – In-person payments received in real time. Convenience fee is $1.50. Maximum amount per transaction is $1,000.
BUDGET BILLING – Levels out bills by averaging most recent 12 months usage. Debit/credit balances accumulate based on seasonal usage.
StormCenter is available on your smartphone or tablet 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bookmark your address on the outage map, view the weather radar, find crew status, outage cause and estimated restoration time. Report a new outage, check the status of an existing outage, manage your communication preferences (email, text or voice message), report an area light outage or contact us.
MARK BOWLING – T&D LINE SUPERVISOR/ACTING DISTRIBUTION SUPERINTENDENT
LENGTH OF SERVICE – 30 YEARS
“WE LOVE OUR PEOPLE.” SECO Champion Mark Bowling is a T&D Line Supervisor who is currently serving on a rotational assignment as a Distribution Superintendent in the Groveland office. In his Supervisor role, Mark oversees the field crews that respond to outages, construct line and complete work requests in south Lake County. Mark’s family members are life-long residents of Lake County, and he is proud that his children attend the same schools he did growing up. The family enjoys football and baseball games and his children play school sports. Living in Lake County, Mark’s restoration work after the deadly 2007 Groundhog Day tornadoes was especially emotional. He remembers consoling SECO members whose homes were blown away by the destructive tornadoes. Mark describes his crew as “a good group of guys who are dedicated to SECO Energy, the community and safety.”
CALLING ALL CREATIVE KIDDOS – Enter the SECO Energy Kids’ Calendar Coloring Contest. We are looking for 13 creative, colorful drawings depicting Electrical Safety or Energy Efficiency in a fun way to publish in our 2020 SECO Energy Calendar! The 13 chosen artists will have their artwork, photo and name published in next year’s calendar. Even better, the winners will each receive a $100 prize. The artwork submission form is available online look for Calendar Coloring Contest on our Contact Us page. Print the submission form and include it with the artwork. Mail submissions to: SECO Energy P.O. Box 301 Sumterville, FL 33585-0301 or drop it off at one of our five Member Service Centers.
To be eligible, the child must be between the ages of 5 and 12 and live in a home served by SECO Energy. Artwork submissions must be received by September 30, 2019.
Atlantic hurricane season makes its formal appearance on June 1 and ends November 30. In early May, however, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) was already tracking its first tropical disturbance in the Atlantic. NHC, a part of NOAA, at the time this publication went to print, had not released its official forecast.
The Weather Channel 2019 outlook calls for a total of 14 named Atlantic storms, seven hurricanes and three “major” hurricanes. That forecast is slightly above the 30-year average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or stronger which means winds greater than 111 mph.
Unfortunately, no forecast can accurately predict the future. The lifesaving approach is to expect the unexpected and prepare in advance for the possibility of a power outage. Gather your hurricane supplies now. Water and plywood sell out when storms threaten. It’s essential to stock non-perishable food to sustain each family member for at least three days. If you need guidance, view SECO’s Emergency Preparation Checklist online.
Whether you plan to evacuate or stay put during a major event, enroll in outage notifications through StormCenter. Choose email, voice or text message – or all three. Take a tour of the outage map. Search for and bookmark your address. Create a SECO Energy StormCenter icon on the home screen of your smartphone or tablet.
We’ve added a new StormCenter feature. You can now check the status of a reported power outage. Visit StormCenter, click on “Check Status.” Input your last name and house number, account number or phone number on record.
StormCenter provides updates that include the time the outage began, estimated restoration time, crew status, cause if identified and when the outage was restored.
SECO has developed one of the nation’s most comprehensive Emergency Restoration Plans to respond to major storm damage. Restoring service to the largest number of members in the quickest amount of time is our goal, but with required priorities for shelters, schools, hospitals and government buildings.
If you or a family member have special needs, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org to locate your county and join the statewide Special Needs Registry. Other valuable resources for emergency planning are the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross.
Don’t be caught unprepared for the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. SECO Energy is StormReady and equipped to respond quickly to outages affecting members. We are here for you. It is our privilege to serve your family’s energy needs.
Sincerely,
Jim Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
Meet SECO Champion Jerry Bolduc – an example of our 400+ SECO Champion employees. Jerry is dedicated to providing exceptional service to members, co-workers and communities.
JERRY BOLDUC – LEAD PROJECT ENGINEER
LENGTH OF SERVICE – 14 YEARS
“SECO is amazing.”
SECO Champion Jerry Bolduc is a Lead Project Engineer at our SECO Headquarters. Before working at SECO, Jerry was employed by a large investor-owned utility. As a SECO member and an employee, he appreciates the cooperative difference in service that SECO offers members. During the three back-to-back hurricanes in 2004, Jerry assessed damaged areas and directed contract crews across the service territory. He was amazed by SECO’s storm response and the efficiency and organization shown during major restoration efforts. Originally from Canada, Jerry moved to Central Florida 20 years ago. He has participated in Ironman Triathlon Events including Escape from Alcatraz where he swam with sharks in San Francisco Bay. Jerry enjoys working in the field in sunny Florida (no snow) and is proud to be a SECO member, too.
HVAC TUNE-UP AND FILTER CHANGE
Summer heat is quickly approaching. Weather.com predicts June through August temperatures will be above average in our area. Before your HVAC system begins its summer workout, schedule a tune-up with a reputable HVAC technician.
The technician should thoroughly inspect your HVAC to ensure it’s in good running condition. The system may need to be cleaned or serviced. Preventative maintenance is easier on the wallet than major repairs down the road. A well-tuned HVAC runs more efficiently, uses less energy and saves on cooling and heating costs.
Is it time to change your HVAC filter? A clean HVAC filter also helps your system run efficiently. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and change filters as recommended.
POWER LINE SAFETY
Downed power lines are a safety hazard. Car accidents involving power poles, trees taking down a line or poles broken by heavy wind or rain have the potential to bring us too close to electric lines.
Electric energy can burn, shock, injure or kill you. Never assume a power line is safe to touch. Always assume a power line is live and has the ability to harm you. Children are especially curious and may knowingly or unknowingly approach a downed line. Talk with your kids and grandkids about the dangers of downed power lines.
Warn children to never play near or on substation fencing. Do not climb trees near power lines or allow kites, toy planes or balloons to touch power lines. Don’t release helium balloons at a birthday party or other celebration. These can tangle in lines or become deadly for Florida wildlife.
If you see a downed line, stay away and warn others away as well. Call 911 immediately to report the downed line.
RELAY FOR LIFE – 6TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Thank you to all players, sponsors and employees who participated in SECO Energy’s 6th Annual Relay For Life Golf Tournament “Tee-Up for a Cure” at Arlington Ridge Golf Club in Leesburg on Saturday, May 4th. Players enjoyed 18-holes of golf, chance to win door prizes and fellowship.
The Relay For Life Golf Tournament sponsored by SECO raised $16,600 for the American Cancer Society.
SECO and its employees are long-time supporters of the American Cancer Society and its premier annual Relay For Life events. Join SECO and its Commitment to Community by partnering with your not-for-profit cooperative on a virtual SECO Relay For Life team.
Join a SECO Energy team by visiting Relay.ACSevents.org and look for “Find a Participant or Team” and choose “Team.” Enter team name: “SECO Energy” and click “Search.” Choose a local Relay event and virtually join Team SECO and the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer.
