Florida Power & Light Company is reminding residents to prepare for hurricane season, emphasizing that planning ahead is the best way for Floridians to stay safe when severe weather strikes.
- The utility company says it is not a matter of if, but when the next hurricane will hit the state, and is encouraging both longtime Floridians and newcomers to develop a plan before, during and after a storm.
A solid emergency plan starts with knowing the risks at home. FPL recommends residents determine whether their home or business is located in a flood or evacuation zone, review local evacuation routes and identify a backup power source or plan to relocate if a storm warning is issued.
Transportation should also be factored in. The Division of Emergency Management recommends drivers keep their gas tanks at least half full throughout hurricane season, while electric vehicle owners should aim to maintain a charge between 50% and 80% at all times.
Residents with special medical needs are encouraged to contact their local emergency management office in case of evacuations. FPL also offers a Medically Essential Service designation for households that rely on electric-powered equipment.
Households should also assemble an emergency kit stocked with non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, medications and a first-aid kit, along with phone chargers, power banks and a waterproof container for important documents. Those documents should include insurance policies, health cards, birth certificates, Social Security cards, a list of emergency contacts and a recent copy of an FPL bill.
Preparing the home itself is another key step. FPL advises residents to install approved hurricane shutters or use alternate coverings such as plywood, move patio furniture and outdoor items indoors, fasten doors and windows, and cover valuables with plastic away from windows. Unnecessary electronics, including pool equipment, should be unplugged, and refrigerators and freezers set to their coldest settings to keep food fresh during an outage.
The company warns residents not to trim trees or vegetation near overhead power lines themselves and urges customers to hire qualified professionals. Anyone using a ladder should note the location of power lines beforehand and keep ladders, scaffolds and tools at least 10 feet away. More information on tree trimming policies is available at FPL.com/trees.
After a storm passes, safety hazards can remain. Residents using portable generators should follow all manufacturer instructions and set the generator up outside, not in a home or garage, with appliances connected directly to it. FPL warns against wiring a generator directly to a home’s breaker or fuse box, as the power generated may flow back into power lines and cause injuries.
Residents should also stay away from downed power lines and from flooded or debris-laden areas that may be hiding them.
To stay informed, FPL encourages customers to bookmark FPL.com and save 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) to report outages and check restoration status. For more preparedness tips, visit FPL.com/storm.
