S E P T E M B E R
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SECONEWS DUNCAN’S DI G EST
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. SECO’s expertly designed and wellbuilt 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 roundthe-clock scheduleo assist members and support our field employees/contractors.
Jim Duncan, CEO
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, visit SECOEnergy.com > Safety > Storm Preparation to view our checklist. 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.
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“HIDDEN” ACCOUNT NUMBERS Don’t forget to look for the last six digits of your account number in this month’s SECO News. You can email us at customerservice@secoenergy.com or call if your number appears. Six winners will be drawn at random from all submissions. Winners receive a $25 restaurant gift card. 173702
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Medically Necessary Service
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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 website, select Contact Us>Daily Restoration Plan.
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,
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JIM DUNCAN, Chief Executive Officer
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.
Citrus County www.SheriffCitrus.org/Emergency-Management.php (352) 527-2106 and (352) 746-5470
Hernando County www.HernandoCounty.us/departments/departments-a-e/Emergency-Management (352) 754-4083 and (352) 754-4111
Lake County www.LakeCountyFL.gov/offices/Emergency_Management/ (352) 343-9420
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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 at SECOEnergy.com > My Account > Medically Necessary Service. 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.
Create a plan today to keep you and your family safe in the event of an emergency.
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Levy County www.LevyDisaster.com/ (352) 486-5213
Marion County www.marionso.com/emergency-management/?rq=emergency (352) 527-2106 and 352-746-5470
Pasco County www.PascoCountyFL.net/365/Emergency-Management (727) 847-8137
Sumter County www.SumterCountyFL.gov/718/Emergency-Management (352) 689-4400
RIGHT TREE – RIGHT PLACE MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
NATURE’S
COLUMN & PHOTOS BY SANDI STATON -SANDI.STATON@GMAIL.COM
REFLECTIONS
Like real estate, it’s all about the location. As many have witnessed firsthand during one of Florida’s thunderstorms, tropical storms, or hurricanes whether a tree becomes a blessing or a curse depends a lot on its location. Storms, trees and power lines do not mix. Falling limbs and trees are SECO’s second leading cause of power outages and they can cause severe, costly damage to homes as well. Around homes and work places, trees work as natural barriers for climate control. Plant trees strategically to provide shade in the summer and act as a natural barrier against cold winds in winter. Planting deciduous trees to the south, southwest or west side of buildings offers summer shade. Trees planted on the north and west sides can block winter winds and reduce heating costs. Trees add beauty to the landscape, provide shelter for wildlife, create a playground for children and clean the air we breathe. The most direct impact trees have on us as human beings is the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen. It has been said that one mature tree, in just one growing season, provides oxygen equivalent to that required by one adult for a year.
Plan before you plant. Do not plan during summer’s heat – use this time to design your planting scheme for when the weather cools. It’s important to do your homework before making a selection. Decide what size, shape, location, and type of tree you want and its characteristics. Does it drop leaves or have little seedlings coming up all over? Is it brittle, does it become hollow or has invasive root systems that may interfere with underground utilities or clog septic systems? 449800 Research the tree’s possible height when mature – never plant tall trees near overhead power lines. During storms, limbs may break or the tree fall completely, causing extensive damage or outages. Once a tree has grown into an energized line, it can conduct electricity and become a safety hazard. Consequently, trees that have grown into the power lines must be trimmed to maintain a safe clearance and prevent outages. Once trees are cut out of the right-of-way, they never look as good as those planted well away from the power lines. Shorter varieties should always be used around utilities. Many shorter trees also flower, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. The right tree in the right place adds beauty and can be enjoyed for years to come.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
406203 Jerry D. Hatfield
Richard J. Belles
President District 9
District 3
Richard Dennison
Ray Vick
Vice President District 4
District 5
Bill James
Earl Muffett
Secretary-Treasurer District 8
District 6
Scott D. Boyatt
Robin Henion
District 1
District 7
Dillard B. Boyatt District 2
The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices at 330 South US HWY 301 in Sumterville. A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on Monday, October 22, 2018. 24/7 Job Hotline: (855) 483-2673 www.secoenergyjobs.com Report an Outage: (800) 732-6141 www.secostormcenter.com
SECO Energy.com SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.