With a severe hurricane season predicted to be on the horizon, competitive power suppliers EPSA and its members continue working proactively to keep the lights on.
With Hurricane Season officially starting June 1 in the Atlantic, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts an 85% chance of above normal, increased intensity of hurricane activity. Hurricanes can be devastating to communities, sometimes resulting in mass evacuation, destruction of homes and businesses, skyrocketing costs, and often loss of human life. And this season is predicted to be a particularly intense one.
How do competitive power suppliers plan accordingly to preserve reliability during violent weather events? By leveraging years of experience to build and maintain a resilient electricity grid.
Pre-Storm Planning
The day after the previous hurricane season ends, planning for the next one begins. Leading up to hurricane season, power suppliers proactively perform planned shutdowns of their plants to test their storm procedures, so they know exactly what to expect in the case of a hurricane. They update their systems as needed and incorporate lessons learned from each past season. They work closely with federal, state, and local government and first responders to stay in sync with what’s happening and enhance readiness against future storms.
EPSA is also directly involved in these preparation efforts, serving on the steering committee of the Electric Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), the principal liaison between the federal government and the electric power industry on efforts to prepare for, and respond to, national-level disasters or threats to critical infrastructure.
Post-Storm Response
As storms unfold, power suppliers keep a careful watch and assess how to proceed by:
- Identifying and notifying emergency personnel
- Testing emergency communications systems
- Preparing operations sites by removing or securing any debris, chemicals, or other items that could become airborne
- Safely shutting down the facility and locking buildings as needed
- Evacuating non-essential personnel or the entire site when necessary
- As applicable, closing manual natural gas supply valves
How can you be prepared?
Generators work to protect our essential power infrastructure, but members of the public can also take action to stay safe during severe weather or in the event of a power outage. Here’s what you can do:
- Maintain emergency food, water and medicine supplies, and flashlights with fresh batteries.
- Keep copies of essential documents.
- Charge your phone and keep power banks charged.
- Put together or update an emergency plan for your family.
- Stay informed on local guidance – like when to evacuate and where to shelter in your area.
Reliability is the bottom line.
Large-scale power outages are all too common in cases of hurricanes. Extreme weather is a major factor in system reliability challenges, and during this season, it is important to remember how crucial it is to have a power grid that can bounce back from weather-related impacts.
