Public power utilities were hard at work on power restoration efforts in Florida after Hurricane Debby hit the state early on the morning of Aug. 5.
“As the mutual aid coordinator for Florida’s 33 public power utilities, the Florida Municipal Electric Association has been monitoring the development of now Tropical Storm Debby and has engaged our mutual aid network in advance of the landfall,” said Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association, on Saturday, Aug. 3.
“On behalf of our member communities in potentially impacted areas, we called on our strong national network of public power utilities and have arranged for mutual aid to assist with restoration efforts. Mutual aid crews from other utilities are pre-positioned to assist with restoration of outages that may occur as a result of Tropical Storm Debby as soon as conditions are safe,” she said prior to the arrival of Debby.
“We remain in close communications with local, state and federal emergency response departments and are standing by to assist with power restoration to Florida public power communities that are impacted by the storm.”
On Aug. 5, FMEA noted on its social media channels that crews from Florida public power utility Riviera Utilities have been working to restore power alongside crews from the public power community of Tallahassee, Fla., as conditions allow.
FMEA also noted that electric crews were working around the clock in the City of Green Cove Springs Government to restore power to their local community following the arrival of Hurricane Debby.
Meanwhile, on Aug. 4, South Carolina’s Santee Cooper reported that its team members were making preparations for the anticipated effects that Tropical Storm Debby may have on Santee Cooper’s service territory.
As of noon Aug. 4, Santee Cooper went to Operating Condition (OpCon) 4 alert status. This means there is a possible threat to Santee Cooper’s electric system, but effects may be limited or uncertain.
Steps it was taking at this stage included:
- Drawing down the Santee Cooper Lakes in anticipation of coming rainfall over the next several days.
- Checking and fueling vehicles, including line trucks.
- Making sure communications equipment is in proper working order.
- Taking inventory, procuring supplies and relocating equipment and personnel to be best positioned for any storm impacts.
As of noon Aug. 5, Santee Cooper went to Operating Condition 2 alert status. This means a threat to Santee Cooper’s electric system is imminent or has occurred, but effects are limited or still uncertain.
