FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 2, 2010 - North Fort Myers, Fla.

Hurricane season has begun, and that means it is time to review your family’s emergency plan.  Utilities spend all year refining their plans for the season and ensuring they are ready if a storm should impact our area. LCEC’s preparations and plans are reviewed and revised each and every year.  A vital part of the LCEC restoration preparation includes ensuring the proper resources needed for restoration are in place. To do this, the organization cultivates relationships with tree trimming and power line contractors, fuel companies, supply vendors, food vendors, and other cooperatives and emergency agencies for back up resources. LCEC’s nearly 400 employees are in on the planning, and during recovery and restoration efforts, they put their typical job responsibilities on hold to pitch in.

LCEC year-round preparation for storm season storm includes a proactive vegetation management program which reduces the possibility of tree branches falling on power lines and interrupting service. LCEC also conducts annual infrared and physical inspections of facilities to ensure the integrity of power lines, equipment and poles. The technology helps to detect potentially faulty equipment through an infrared inspection of overhead lines and equipment. Proactively identifying areas that may cause potential outages and repairing them helps to strengthen the system year-round. 

When reviewing family emergency plans, remember that keeping safe is the number one priority! Developing a family disaster plan is the best way to be prepared and protected. Talk. Decide. Prepare. Pack. Taking these steps right now allows residents and business owners to be ready for almost any bad weather emergency situation.

Talk about emergency options, and decide when and under what circumstances it will be necessary to evacuate. Contact the local Emergency Management office to learn about evacuation plans – and remember it usually depends on the direction of the storm. Other factors to consider when deciding whether to evacuate include:

• A home and property’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.


• The location of the safest place: be it in the home or community, which may be different depending on the circumstances.


• Don’t forget Fido! Identify nearby pet friendly shelters and other emergency options. Some may require advance registration.

Prepare a central list of emergency contact information including both medical and out of town family members as well as important medical needs and notes.

Pack a Ready-to-Go kit in case the safest option is to go to a shelter or out of town relative’s home.  Also, make a Ready-to-Stay kit in case staying home is the best or only option.  The LCEC Hurricane Guide provides an excellent checklist for items to have on hand during and after a storm.

Being proactive with creating and practicing a storm plan is essential to safety during a hurricane.

Established in 1940, Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LCEC) is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Marco Island, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Pine Island, Everglades City, Immokalee, Ave Maria, and parts of Lehigh Acres.  LCEC is one of the largest employers in Lee County with approximately 400 employees. People. Power. Possibilities. Delivering the Power that Energizes our Community. To learn more about safety in and around the home as well as in emergency situations, or to read our free Hurricane Guide, visit www.lcec.net.

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