StormCenter – SECO Energy

October 2024 Sunshine State Stats

In October 2024, the monthly average temperature fell by 8 degrees from September, while the rainfall total remained well above average due to Hurricane Milton, which delivered 73% of the month’s total on a single day. Although precipitation decreased by 3.49 inches from last month, it was still 4.46 inches more than the October rainfall recorded last year at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE). The month’s average high temperature was 84 degrees, 6 degrees lower than the September average high temperature. The average low fell to 67 degrees, 8 degrees lower than in September.

The month’s high temperatures during the first five days all peaked in the 90s, with October 4th reaching the monthly high of 92 degrees. High temperatures after the 5th remained in the 80s and even 70s. The lowest temperature, 53 chilly degrees, occurred on October 17.

Measurable rainfall occurred on 9 days, with all but .01 inch falling during the first nine days of the month. Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport was limited to just the first two days of October and totaled 81 cloud-to-ground strikes as reported by WeatherSentry.

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

Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com 

Cloud to Ground Lightning  –  October 1-2, 2024 (81 strikes)

Thunderstorm activity typically decreases in Central Florida during fall and winter months, but SECO Energy reminds members that hurricane activity is still possible in November. Continue to keep an eye on local weather alerts for tropical storm systems that may develop. Stay connected to SECO’s StormCenter for updates on approaching severe weather, possible outages, and restorations.

November Forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac weather outlook for November 2024 predicts showers and warm conditions during the first six days, followed by sunny and cooler weather through November 14. Showers and warm temperatures return from November 15 through 21 then change to sunny and colder days before becoming milder with rainy weather during the final three days.

The estimated average temperature for November is 68 degrees, and the expected rainfall is 3.5 inches, which is 1 inch above the average for the month.

SECO Smart Connect Program: A New Way to Save on Your Electric Bill

Have you seen the SECO Smart Connect Program? This is a new opportunity for members to receive bill credits for allowing SECO Energy to make brief changes to the settings on residential devices during times of peak energy demand. By enrolling approved smart device(s), members can help limit the impact on the electric grid when the most energy is being used. Residential members who enroll in the SECO Smart Connect Program will receive enrollment incentives via bill credits based on the type of device(s) enrolled. We are also offering additional seasonal and monthly incentives. Learn more and enroll here.

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. 

September 2024 Sunshine State Stats

In September 2024, the monthly average temperature fell by 1 degree from the previous month, while the rainfall total recorded at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) increased by 2.2 inches. The month’s average high temperature was 90 degrees, lower than the August average high temperature by 2 degrees. The average low was 75 degrees, just 1 degree lower than in August. The month’s highest temperature reached 94 degrees on September 1 and 18, and the lowest temperature of 71 degrees occurred on September 22.

Reported rainfall in September totaled 9.36 inches, 3.6 inches more than “normal,” as stated by WeatherSentry. Measurable rainfall occurred on 16 days, with the 3-day period of September 3, 4, and 5 amounting to 3.88 inches, over one-third of the monthly total. During the three days surrounding Hurricane Helene (9/25 – 27), rainfall totaled only 1.03 inches.

Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport decreased by 57% from August. WeatherSentry detected 3,023 cloud-to-ground strikes in September compared to 7,074 in August. Lightning was most active during the first two weeks of September.

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

Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com 

Cloud to Ground Lightning  –  September 1-15, 2024 (2937 strikes)

Cloud to Ground Lightning –  September 16-30, 2024 (86 strikes) 

Historically, thunderstorm activity decreases in Central Florida during fall and winter months, but SECO Energy reminds members that hurricane season is not over. Continue to keep an eye on local weather alerts for tropical storm systems that may develop. Stay connected to SECO’s StormCenter for updates on approaching severe weather, possible outages, and restorations.

October Forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac weather outlook for October 2024 predicts sunny and mild conditions during the first two weeks with just a scattered shower or two. Temperatures are predicted to rise somewhat in the second half of the month, with isolated showers amidst mostly sunny skies. The estimated average temperature for October is 76 degrees, and the expected rainfall is 1.5 inches, which is 3 inches below the average for the month.

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools

Log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts to check historical usage. If you want help in 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.

Use the Energy Estimator to easily calculate the energy consumed by your appliances, lighting, and electronic devices.

Protect Your Appliances

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 Prepares for Potential Impacts of Helene

Helene is forecasted to be a Category 3 Hurricane. SECO Energy is closely monitoring the path and potential impacts of the impending storm system as it develops, preparing to respond quickly and safely should outages occur.

Crews are fueling up and prepping trucks with all necessary supplies and materials for any outages that may occur as a result of the hurricane. SECO Energy has dedicated staff assigned to monitor the power system and weather on a daily, 24-hour basis. All other employees, including SECO Energy’s Member Services Center, are on high alert and ready to respond to member needs.

SECO Energy urges members to act now to make preparations to remain safe and comfortable in the event of an outage.

How You Can Prepare:

Assemble an emergency kit. It should include at least a three-day supply of water, non-perishable food, medication, first aid supplies, a flashlight, a weather radio, and extra batteries. Include a list of emergency contacts.

Charge your cell phone and have external backup power sources charged.

Develop an evacuation plan in case it’s needed. Communicate the plan to your family. Include pets or livestock in your plan.

Secure outdoor items. Safely store lawn furniture, decorations, toys, garbage cans, and other items that can be brought indoors.

Close windows and doors in the event of high winds.

Fuel up. Fill up your vehicles before the storm, as a loss of power could affect gas stations.

Consider having supplies handy for your propane or charcoal grill. Be sure to grill outdoors in well-ventilated areas for safety.

If you operate a standby generator after a storm, be sure to follow the owner’s manual instructions and safety recommendations.

Helene’s current location on September 25, 2024. Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center.

StormCenter  is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to view the outage map, report outages, check the status of an existing outage, report an area light malfunction, and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice, or all three. Bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily by going to SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter.

As a reminder, if heavy rains and strong winds lead to downed lines, stay away! Contact with downed lines can be dangerous, even deadly. Report downed power lines to SECO Energy at (800) 732-6141 or call 911 immediately.

SECO Energy’s Hurricane Handbook includes generator safety tips and guidance on how to prepare before, during, and after a storm. It can be found by going to SECO Energy.com > Safety > Hurricane Handbook.

August 2024 Sunshine State Stats

In August 2024, Central Florida experienced an increase in rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures compared to the previous month. The average high for August was 92 degrees, 2 degrees cooler than July, while the average low remained steady at 76 degrees. The average high and low for August matched historical “normal” average temperatures recorded at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE). The highest temperature of the month was recorded on August 27, reaching 96 degrees; the lowest temperature was 71 degrees and recorded on August 17.

Reported rainfall in August totaled 7.16 inches, 3.05 inches more than in July and 2.47 inches more than August of last year. Measurable rainfall for August began on the 1st and occurred on 18 of 31 days. The rainiest day was during Hurricane Debby on August 5th, when 4.25 inches fell.

Thunderstorms are common in the summer in Central Florida. SECO Energy encourages members to seek shelter promptly if a thunderstorm approaches.

September Forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac weather forecast for September 2024 predicts warm temperatures and thunderstorms for the first 13 days. For the latter half of the month, the forecast suggests slightly cooler temperatures with continued thunderstorms in the South and sunshine in the northern regions from September 24-30.

The estimated average temperature for September is 80 degrees, and the expected rainfall is 9.5 inches, 2 inches above 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.