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SECO News, September 2018

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

 

PEAK OF THE SEASON

 

During the Atlantic hurricane season, September is generally the month when hurricane and tropical storm activity peaks. SECO Energy is Storm Ready and prepared for the worst. As of early August, there were only four named storms in the Atlantic. But experience teaches us to remain vigilant.

 

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest

 

SECO’s expertly designed and well-built infrastructure is able to withstand Florida’s daily summer thunderstorms. Our Operations crews are available round-the-clock 365 days of the year to come running when rare outages occur. But when a tropical storm or hurricane heads our way during storm season, we go into ALERT mode – activating our proven emergency response plan. It’s an all hands on deck scenario – our call center, communications team and other essential personnel also shift to a round-the-clock schedule to assist members and support our field employees/contractors.

 

We’re ready. Are you? Take steps to develop your family’s emergency plan well in advance. Supplies sell out quickly when storms are near, so don’t be the people in Walmart fighting over the last case of bottled water. If you need help getting started with your family’s hurricane and emergency preparation, our Storm Preparation checklist is available to view on our website.

 

Where can you find outage information? SECO’s all-new outage reporting and communications platform StormCenter is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

You can access StormCenter with your smartphone or tablet. Before an outage occurs, visit our website and enroll in outage notifications. StormCenter allows you to decide how you would like SECO to communicate outage notifications and restoration updates. You can choose to receive voice messages, text messages, emails or all three – and set “do not disturb” times for your selections. If a hurricane event causes widespread outages and restoration will take days, SECO also publishes a map devoted solely to the daily restoration plan. Visit the Daily Restoration Plan on our website.

 

The SECO communications team is active on social media as well. “Like” the SECO Energy Facebook page and “follow” us on Twitter for outage and local weather updates. Find outage information and photos, ask questions, play trivia or enter a drawing for a chance to win bill credits or other prizes.

 

Read on for more preparation ”Storm Ready” instructions about generators, shelters and county emergency operations centers. It could save your life.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Medically Necessary Service September 2018 SECO News

MEDICALLY NECESSARY SERVICE

 

SECO Energy strives to provide world-class reliability to the over 200,000 homes and businesses in its service territory. Unexpected outages due to weather, vehicle accidents, equipment upgrades, trees or animal contact with lines, etc. means that SECO cannot guarantee 100 percent uninterrupted power.

 

If you or a loved one who is a resident on your premises needs an uninterrupted supply of electricity, please contact SECO. SECO will code your account as “critical” alerting our line technicians of a medical need in outage situations. Documentation from a physician is required to support the medical need – the required forms are available online.

 

Members who require medically essential equipment should take extra precautions during storm season. Have a plan in place for the possibility of lengthy outages. Consider evacuating to an area outside a storm’s probable track, purchasing and installing a generator or relocating to a designated shelter in your county.

 

A list of our seven counties’ Emergency Operating Centers (EOC) websites are listed below. Visit your county EOC website to sign up for county specific emergency alerts and notifications. The county EOC websites offer shelter information, hurricane preparedness tips and more.

 

 

 

Emergency Operating Center by County September 2018 SECO News

EMERGENCY OPERATING CENTER BY COUNTY

 

Your counties’ Emergency Operating Center is a good source of emergency information before, during and after a major storm event. Visit your county EOC website and sign up for emergency alerts today.

 

Create a plan today to keep you and your family safe in the event of an emergency.

 

Citrus County EOC Phone: (352) 527-2106 and (352) 746-5470

 

Hernando County EOC Phone: (352) 754-4083 and (352) 754-4111

 

Lake County EOC Phone: (352) 343-9420

 

Levy County EOC Phone (352) 486-5213

 

Marion County EOC Phone: (352) 369-8100

 

Pasco County EOC Phone: (727) 847-8137

 

Sumter County EOC Phone: (352) 689-4400

 

Read the full September SECO News online.

SECO Prepared for 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season

The Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project predicts 11 named storms developing this year, with four storms affecting the Atlantic Basin. On the eve of 2017’s Atlantic Hurricane Season, SECO Energy is prepared for the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes affecting its service territory. As a foundation, the company’s system is expertly designed, solidly built and well maintained.

 

SECO’s motto during storm season is “Storm Ready.” SECO’s System Control Coordinator’s monitor the weather 24/7. Operations crews and support staff are on-call to leap into restoration action day or night. SECO’s local Call Centers and Member Service Centers are fully staffed to help members weather the storm.

 

SECO reminds members and their families to prepare for the upcoming storm season as well. Now is the time to assemble your emergency supplies – don’t wait until a storm threatens, supplies sell out quickly. Visit SECOEnergy.com to find a list of emergency essentials for hurricane and storm season. Bookmark SECO’s Storm Center application on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly using your last name and house number.

 

For the most up-to-date storm and restoration information available, “like” SECO Energy’s Facebook page and “follow” the cooperative on Twitter. SECO uses its social media channels to warn members of upcoming storms and to send updates about the restoration process after major events. If you haven’t been in touch with SECO in recent memory, log into your SmartHub account on SECOEnergy.com to update your contact information.

 

Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services stated, “Please prepare in advance for this year’s storm season. Don’t be caught off-guard, as once the storm is upon you it is too late. One storm or weather event can damage your home, leave your family without access to food, water and power. It can change your life forever. At SECO, we want our members to take the necessary precautions to wait out storms safely, while our Operations crews are restoring power as quickly and safely as possible.”

 

Tropical Storm Colin and Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew, brought inches of rain, lightning and high winds to SECO’s area during 2016’s Atlantic Hurricane Season. Before each weather occurrence, SECO jumped into action requesting additional contract line crews and tree trimming crews. Utilizing SECO’s emergency plan, the SECO team is a well-oiled restoration machine, each SECO employee is “Storm Ready.”

 

Learn more about storm preparation and print an emergency checklist online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO News, May 2017

SECO News, May 2017 - Duncan's Digest, Storm Ready

Duncan’s Digest – Storm Ready

 

Atlantic Hurricane season is just around the corner – beginning on June 1. The Old Farmer’s Almanac advises us to watch for tropical storm threats in mid-May, predicts a rainy summer and forecasts the possibility of hurricanes in September. Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology study was recently released and it calls for the number of named storms and hurricanes to be slightly below historical averages. Still, per NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division, the U.S. averages one to two hurricane landfalls each season, so we have to prepare even with a below average hurricane forecast.

 

“Storm Ready” isn’t just a slogan. We invest in and prepare for the worst, but hope and pray for the best. “Storm Ready” is using social media to update members about severe weather and its possible impact to our service area. “Storm Ready” is SECO’s System Operations Center that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “Storm Ready” means that Operations crews and support staff are available for restoration around-the-clock. “Storm Ready” means that local Call Centers and Member Service Centers are fully staffed to help you weather the storm.

 

SECO can help you get your family “Storm Ready” as well. Visit our website’s Storm Preparation section for an Emergency Checklist. Before inclement weather arrives, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center page on your smartphone or tablet in case you need to report a power outage, and update your primary contact phone number and email address through your online account (called SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com). “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the cooperative on Twitter for weather information and warnings.

 

It’s time to check your emergency kit – now. Make sure your supplies are fully stocked and that medicines, water and foodstuffs aren’t out-of-date. Remember, emergency supplies sell out quickly when storms and hurricanes are imminent.

 

SECO News, May 2017 - Duncan's Digest, Storm Ready

 

During the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Florida Governor Rick Scott engaged with utility leaders collaboratively and encouraged us across the state to work together to restore all consumers’ power as quickly as possible. “Storm Ready” also applies to SECO’s willingness to lend a hand to assist our fellow cooperatives, as well as state municipal and investor-owned utilities when possible. In February, SECO assisted Clay Electric Cooperative when its members were affected by widespread outages due to a strong storm. Since SECO’s system held up well in that storm and the few members who experienced outages had their service restored the same day, the SECO team jumped into action and sent 20 employees to help restore power to Clay members.

 

SECO News, May 2017- Annual Meeting Recap

 

Annual Meeting Recap

 

Attendance boomed at SECO Energy’s 79th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 25. Thousands of members, guests, vendors and VIPs enjoyed hot breakfast biscuits, sweet treats, energy efficiency displays, live entertainment, gifts and a chance to win grand prizes and various door prizes. Members received a copy of SECO’s 2016 Annual Report and a gift bag with two commemorative insulated steel tumblers. SECO and its wholesale power provider Seminole Electric distributed over 6,000 LED bulbs to members. Members visited SECO’s vendor-partners who were on hand to display their energy-saving products and services in the Energy Showcase.

 

Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive provided live entertainment, playing current country tunes and old favorites while members sang along and line danced. A special character, LED Lucy, brightened the day with her antics and smiles.

 

Members took home loads of door prizes. The grand prizes up for grabs were four cash prizes, a refurbished Dodge Dakota truck, and a refurbished electric golf cart.

 

SECO News, May 2017- Annual Meeting , pictures form 79th annual meeting of SECO Members

 

This year’s grand prize winners are:

  • Michael Niemiec from Inverness won the refurbished 2005 Dodge Dakota truck.
  • Lake Panasoffkee’s Shannon Jessup was the winner of the refurbished electric golf cart from The Villages Golf Carts.
  • The Villages resident Edward Maffuccio was the happy winner of the $1,500 cash prize.
  • Clark Smith from Webster won the $1,000 cash prize.
  • Christine Bartow from The Villages and Edward James from Leesburg both won a $500 cash prize.

 

Congratulations to all winners, and thank you for attending the event. Mark your calendar, as next year’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 2018. Hope you can join us for our 80th Annual Meeting!

 

SECO News, May 2017 - Save Money Save Energy

 

Save Energy, Save Money

 

Summer is almost here – set your HVAC thermostat at 78 or higher in the summer and always keep your fan setting on “Auto.” Invest in a programmable thermostat and save $180 annually per ENERGY STAR®.

 

SECO News, May 2017 - Safety Corner, Downed Power Lines

 

Safety Corner – Downed Power Lines

 

Always assume overhead power lines are live and dangerous – even when lines and poles are downed during storms or accidents. Warn children to never touch a downed line with any part of their body or another object such as a stick or bat. Instruct children to leave the area immediately and call for help if they see a downed line.

 

Read the full May 2017 SECO News here.

SECO Continues Tracking Hurricane Matthew

SECO Energy continues to monitor and track Hurricane Matthew and its path to Florida. SECO is urging members to gather emergency supplies and be ready for service interruptions while the hurricane is passing through Florida and for a period of time thereafter.

 

As of Wednesday morning, Hurricane Matthew was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds up to 125 mph. The storm is currently located about 35 miles north-northwest of the eastern tip of Cuba and is moving north at 8 mph. The storm is still predicted to turn northwest Wednesday night and is expected to remain a major hurricane as it moves over the Bahamas Wednesday and Thursday. By Thursday evening, Matthew will be near Florida’s east coast – with the center located 25 to 30 miles off the coast. The state will feel its effects through Friday night.

 

The forecast for Florida includes rain bands and strong, potentially damaging wind gusts – especially within rain bands and thunderstorms. Members in SECO’s service area can expect heavy rain, gusty winds that may strengthen to tropical-storm-force.

 

SECO asks members to keep a close watch on the hurricane’s impact on the area and be prepared for the possibility of prolonged service interruptions. Members should check emergency supplies, fill vehicles with gas, stock up on non-perishables and check property for objects that could cause damage during high winds.

 

Make sure cell phones and tablets are fully charged – include extra chargers in your emergency supplies. Bookmark SECO’s Storm Center on your smartphone or tablet. 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 our area.

Tropical Depression #9 Tracking to Florida

National Hurricane Center has upgraded Invest 99 to Tropical Depression #9 (TD#9). As of Monday morning, the storm is currently located 25 to 35 miles northwest of Havana, Cuba and 100 miles southwest of Key West, Florida. Tropical Depression #9 is expected to track west to west-northwest and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico through Monday.

 

This system is expected to strengthen and organize into a tropical storm as it moves into the warmer waters of the Gulf on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, this system is forecasted to turn northeastward and then eastward – landfall is projected in the Florida Panhandle by most models.

 

The forecast above is based on the NHC projections for the state. SECO’s service area specifically, will likely experience heavy rainfall, sustained winds upward of 40 mph and periods of stronger gusts, especially on Thursday and Friday. Members can expect tree-caused outages due to the wind and rain.

 

SECO is Storm Ready. Our locally-based customer service staff is ready and available to respond to member inquiries in person, by phone or online. SECO’s Operations leadership directs the SECO cavalry 24 hours a day, seven days a week – each truck is equipped to respond to member concerns or service interruptions in the field quickly and safely. Additional Operations personnel are staged to respond quickly this week. Members should ensure their smartphones/tablets are charged and report outages online through Storm Center.

 

SECO has provided an emergency checklist for members on the Storm Preparation section of our website.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being its members’ first source for accurate storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated about storms affecting your area. For members who rely on back-up generators during storm season, remember to read and follow all manufacturer’s safety warnings. Learn more about generator safety here.