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Tag: The National Hurricane Center

SECO Energy Tracking Tropical Depression Fred

SECO Energy is tracking Tropical Depression Fred as it moves closer to the Florida Peninsula. Currently a tropical depression, forecasters predict that Fred will pick up speed and intensity to become a tropical storm before making landfall.

 

Tropical Depression Fred is moving west-northwest at 10 mph with sustained winds of 35 mph. The National Hurricane Center warns Floridians along the west coast to prepare for heavy rain and possible flooding beginning on Sunday. Current models show a possible landfall in Big Bend area in the Panhandle early Monday morning as a tropical storm.

 

SECO members will feel the effects from Tropical Storm Fred on Sunday. Fred’s outer rainbands will affect SECO’s service area for over 24 hours from early Sunday morning through Monday morning. Wind gusts off Florida’s west coast could be as high as 50 mph. The western portion of SECO’s service area especially Citrus County will feel the worst impact with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. Expect severe weather and possible tornadoes. SECO’s service territory has experienced above-average rainfall the last two months which means more rain could bring trees crashing down and create extended power outages.

 

CEO Jim Duncan encourages members to monitor Tropical Depression Fred stating, “Tropical Depression Fred has the potential to bring heavy rain and winds to our area. Fred will most likely develop into a tropical storm. SECO Energy is prepared for Tropical Depression Fred and the weather effects this system will bring into our area. Now is the time to prepare your home and families and gather your emergency supplies. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare.”

 

Duncan also reminded members that SECO Energy’s StormCenter outage reporting and communications platform offers outage alerts. “StormCenter is available for members to report outages using their smartphones or tablets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Members should also enroll in outage notifications and alerts via email, text, voice message, or all three. An alert is sent when the system recognizes that your service has been interrupted. The alert will include crew status and an estimated restoration time. You’ll also receive a notification when the service is restored that includes the cause of the outage if it is known at that time.”

 

Members should visit StormCenter and bookmark the site on their smartphones or tablets. At StormCenter, members can view the outage map, manage notifications, check the status of an existing outage, report an area light outage and more.

 

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.

SECO Energy Preparing for Wind and Rain from Hurricane Michael

SECO Energy is preparing for the possibility of high winds, rain and the threat of tornadoes in Central Florida from Hurricane Michael’s outer bands.

 

As of 7 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, Hurricane Michael has picked up speed and is moving north-northwestward through the southern Gulf of Mexico at 12 mph. Hurricane Michael is currently a Category 2 hurricane with winds speeds between 96 and 110 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend 150 miles from the hurricane’s center.

 

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Michael is strengthening and forecasters believe the storm will continue to increase in speed and intensity before making landfall near Panama City in the Florida Panhandle Wednesday afternoon.

 

SECO forecasters project the strongest winds to remain outside of our service area. Marion and Levy County members will experience the brunt of the strong winds, but still well below 30 mph. The tropical storm force wind speeds should remain at least 50 miles outside of SECO’s territory.

 

Though wind speeds will not be hurricane force, be only slightly high, strong storm bands passing through SECO’s service territory are a significant threat. Members should prepare for large amounts of rain beginning Tuesday and lasting through Thursday, coupled with wind, could cause trees to fall and result in power outages. Additionally, the threat of tornadoes will increase on Wednesday and into Thursday. Strong storms have impacted the east coast early this morning.

 

Citrus County’s Emergency Operating Center (EOC) is activating as of 5 p.m. today, and they have issued an evacuation order for coastal areas and manufactured homes as of 3 p.m. today. Citrus County is opening four shelters today, and schools are closed through Wednesday. The Sumter, Lake, Marion, Levy, Hernando and Pasco EOCs are monitoring the storm closely. A coastal evacuation order is in effect in Levy and two shelters open there today.

 

CEO Jim Duncan assures members that SECO is prepared for inclement weather created by Hurricane Michael. Duncan stated, “SECO continues to closely monitor Hurricane Michael’s progress as it travels through the Gulf of Mexico. We are prepared for Hurricane Michael’s rain bands and winds that will reach into our service territory. SECO’s employees, contract crews and leadership team are all prepared to escalate our response if Hurricane Michael’s path shifts toward SECO’s area.”

 

Duncan added, “Members should continue to keep a close eye on Hurricane Michael. Forecasted tracks have been known to shift hourly right up until landfall. Gather your hurricane supplies now if you have not already done so.”

 

SECO Energy is StormReady and is committed to keeping members informed of weather that impacts the area. Visit our Storm Preparation page online to view an emergency checklist and storm preparation ideas. Watch our Facebook and Twitter pages for Tropical Storm Michael updates. Most important, be sure you’ve bookmarked our new StormCenter outage map and set your email, text and voice notifications preferences. StormCenter is mobile friendly and designed to perform on smartphones and tablets.

Tropical Storm Colin Update

Governor Scott has declared a state of emergency for SECO Energy’s service area as Tropical Storm Colin moves into the Central Florida area. A tropical storm warning has been issued for SECO’s entire service territory.

 

The National Hurricane Center forecast is showing Colin making landfall this evening near the Big Bend and Panhandle area. The impact may cause storm force winds of 39 mph up to 57 mph with possible tornadoes through early Tuesday morning.

 

Tropical Storm Colin poses a severe threat to the State of Florida and requires timely precautions. SECO members could see heavy rain and gusting winds as Colin move through the state. SECO members should visit www.secoenergy.com to receive updates and report outages.

 

Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services is reminding members that SECO is Storm Ready for its members. “SECO is prepared for the almost daily afternoon storms that affect our service area and we are prepared for stronger storms as well. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we are dedicated to being our members’ first source for accurate storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” us on Twitter to stay updated about storms affecting our members.”

 

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 and preparing for storm season.