Now Entering Hurricane Season

The National Hurricane Center reported last year’s hurricane season ended being the third most active season ever with 21 named storms in total (the average is 14 named storms in a year). The 2022 hurricane/storm season officially began on June 1st and lasts until November 30th, with September being typically the most active month for hurricanes to occur. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted a 65% chance for an above-average Atlantic hurricane season and predicting a 70% chance of having 14 to 21 storms, three to six of which could be major hurricanes.

According to a recent article published by Generac Power Systems, “Power outages have become more frequent across the country due to an aging electrical grid, and the coastal regions where tropical storms are becoming more common have created staggering outage metrics.” The article goes on to acknowledge some of the most disrupted metro areas since January 2020, including Miami – Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa – St. Petersburg, Houston, New Orleans, and Ft. Myers – Naples.

In the electric utility industry, preparedness is essential. While we know that many of our customers have been working with our Gresco teams to plan ahead, we’d also like to encourage our customers to be prepared for you and your families. Here are a few tips and reminders courtesy of Generac to stay prepared yourself this hurricane season.

During the Storm:

Take shelter in the safest room in the residence.
Monitor updates with a radio or television.
Save your cellphone battery as much as possible in case the power goes out.
If power is lost, unplug all outlets to reduce the chance of damage due to a power surge.
If flooding nears the home, turn off the electricity.
Evacuate if the home is damaged or an emergency official orders it. Go to a neighbor’s home or follow the emergency official's directions.
NEVER put a generator inside the home. CO2 is odorless and colorless and can kill in minutes. Generac and PGMA recommend not placing a generator within five feet of any livable space. That includes a deck or patio.

As your crews prepare for this storm season, we’d like to remind you that your Gresco representative is here to help. Contact us today for more information on generators or any other needs we can assist with.

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