Duke Energy Florida adds adidtional staging sites ; more than 1,200 workers ready to respond to Tropical Storm Hermine outages and emergencies

Duke Energy Florida adds adidtional staging sites ; more than 1,200 workers ready to respond to Tropical Storm Hermine outages and emergencies

• Three staging locations; 500+ trucks

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Duke Energy Florida is staging more than 1,200 workers from Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky at three strategic locations to ensure a rapid response toservice areas that will likely be affected by Tropical Storm Hermine.

In addition to the original Live Oak location in Suwannee County, two other staging sites have been established in Apalachicola and Monticello, in Franklin and Jefferson counties, respectively. This will allow the resources to be staged near the most likely impacted areas within our service territories to respond to any outages, downed lines and other emergencies that may occur.

“Duke Energy continues to closely monitor Tropical Storm Hermine,” said Luis Ordaz, storm director, Duke Energy – Florida. “The company’s detailed storm response plan is designed to be flexible and allow resources to be deployed when and where they are needed most.”

The company prepared for the storm in advance by checking equipment, supplies and inventories. Duke Energy has spent more than $640 million over the last five years and nearly $1.4 billion since 2004 maintaining and strengthening its energy delivery system. These investments include trimming trees, replacing wood transmission structures with steel or concrete and installing grid automation and Smart Grid devices which help to improve service reliability and reduce both the length and number of outages.

Despite system upgrades, maintaince and rigorous tree trimming, wind-blown debris can cause power outages.When outages occur for any reason, Duke Energy is committed to restoring power as safely and quickly as possible, while keeping customers informed throughout the process.

Storm surge and flooding are also concerns with this storm. Duke Energy Florida offers the following electrical safety guidelines when coping with flooding:

•    If rising water threatens your home—or if you evacuate your home—turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.

•    Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Don't drive over—and don't stand near—downed power lines.

•    Never replace a fuse or touch a circuit breaker with wet hands, or while standing on a wet or damp surface.

•    If your home or business is flooded, Duke Energy cannot reconnect power until the electrical system has been inspected by a licensed electrician. If there is damage, an electrician will need to make necessary repairs and obtain verification from your local building inspection authority before power can be restored.

Customers are encouraged to develop their own hurricane plans and prepare in advance of a storm.

A 2015 Duke Energy survey found the majority of Florida residential and small business customers were not prepared for hurricane season. Seven out of 10 did not have hurricane supplies, or had not put together a preparation kit in at least two years. Nearly 60 percent did not have an emergency evacuation plan. 

Storm tips include:

• Check supplies of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc.
• Ensure a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or NOAA weather radio is on hand.
• Keep generators outside. Such equipment should only be operated in well-ventilated areas and neverindoors. Manufacturer instructions should be followed.
• Check on family members, friends and neighbors who have special medical needs or who are elderly, to ensure they have necessary emergency supplies, and determine now what action they would take in the event of an extended power outage.
• Develop a “Hurricane Kit Checklist.” Visit www.duke-energy.com/storm, then click “Outage & Storm Information” under Duke Energy Florida for important safety tips and more information on what to do before, during and after a storm,

Outage reporting and status updates

Customers who are without power can report outages in several ways:

• Visiting our mobile website at m.duke-energy.com
• Texting OUT to 57801 (Standard text and data charges may apply)
• Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800.228.8485

For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).

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