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Hurricane Matthew Forecast to Hit Florida as Cat 4

Per the National Hurricane Center’s 8 am forecast, Hurricane Matthew is moving northwest at 12 mph. On this track, Matthew crosses the Bahamas today and approaches Florida’s east coast tonight, strengthening to a category 4 hurricane – which means winds of 130 to 156 mph.

 

The forecasted path of Matthew remains parallel to Florida’s east coast – but models are mixed as to how close the eye will come to Florida’s shores and where it will head after it passes the state. It is certain that Central Florida residents east of I-75 will experience rain and tropical-storm-force winds.

 

Poles and lines will go down, and power outages will likely be widespread. Because crews are unable to work safely or raise bucket truck booms in winds over 35 mph, outages will be long in duration if crews cannot respond to outages until winds subside and the storm passes.

 

SECO encourages its members to report outages using smartphones or tablets at the Storm Center application on our website. It’s easy to report with the last name and house number. Members can contact SECO via Facebook and Twitter and read outage details.

 

For members less tech savvy, call and talk to a member service rep (or use the prompts to report the outage by phone at 800 732 6141. SECO’s System Operations Center is manned 24/7, and our call centers are also manned 24/7 when severe weather comes through – as will be the case as Hurricane Matthew approaches. Also report downed power lines – call 911 if there is immediate danger.

 

SECO is Storm Ready. Its emergency response plan determines the restoration priority of each feeder. Essential services like shelters, hospitals, schools and government agencies are the highest priority. Next, linemen work to restore power to large groups of members. Then repairs begin on individual services in less populated areas. All day today, additional line crews and tree trimming contractors are arriving at SECO to be staged for the restoration effort.

 

Members who need continuous power for medical devices and do not have a back-up source of power must act now. Shelters are open in the SECO area. Contact your county’s emergency operations center (EOC) to find shelter in your area – do not wait.

 

 

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being members’ first source for accurate storm information.

SECO Gears up for Hurricane Matthew

SECO Energy is geared up for Hurricane Matthew – a Category 4 Hurricane – and its possible impact on the area and its members. SECO continues to monitor and track the storm as it passes over Jamaica and Cuba on its way to Florida’s east coast waters.

 

As of Tuesday afternoon per the NHC forecast, Hurricane Matthew is moving toward the north at 10 mph. On this track, the eye will move over eastern Cuba later this afternoon. A turn toward the north-northwest is expected by Wednesday, followed by a northwest turn Wednesday night. Maximum sustained winds remain near 145 mph with higher gusts. Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through at least Wednesday night.

 

Locally in Central Florida, expect heavy, continuous rains and gusty winds beginning as early as Wednesday afternoon. Conditions are meant to deteriorate on Thursday with the strongest storms forming between 2 am on Friday and continuing through about 7 pm Friday.

 

SECO is Storm Ready with a comprehensive emergency response plan that determines the system’s restoration priority of each affected feeder. Essential services such as shelters, hospitals, schools and government agencies are the highest priority. Next, line personnel make repairs that will restore power to large groups of members and then repairs begin on individual electric services in less populated areas. SECO has called for additional line crews and tree trimming contractors to respond quickly to outages caused by Hurricane Matthew.

 

SECO is urging members to be prepared for outages that may occur. Members may experience extended outages if tropical-storm-force winds linger in the area. It’s important to understand that line and tree crews cannot perform electric line work and bucket truck maneuvers during sustained winds of over 35 mph.

 

If you rely on a generator during storm season, remember to read and follow all manufacturer’s safety warnings. Visit the Generator Safety section of our website to learn more about being safe when using a generator.

 

Ensure your smartphone or tablet is fully charged and bookmark SECO’s Storm Center to report outages online. It’s simple to report an outage using the account last name and house number.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being our members’ first source for accurate storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated about storms affecting SECO’s area.

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