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Published 3 years ago
Make a Plan; Stay Prepared.
When expecting severe weather, especially a hurricane, it can be overwhelming to find key information to prepare your family, home or business. We created an all-in-one guide to help you before, during and after a storm. 
 

Hurricane guide 2022 cover
Download our Hurricane Guide 2022.

 

Before the Hurricane Season, Put a Plan in Place.

The best way to prepare is to start early! Authorities may issue evacuation or shelter notices 48-72 hours before possible storm impact. Get ready NOW so you'll be confident and prepared when it matters.
  • Be sure your current phone number is on record with us. Call 863-834-9535 and speak with a customer service representative or go online to LakelandElectric.com/MyAccount.
  • Update your 7-Day Emergency Kit.
  • Determine safe evacuation routes.
  • Identify where the closest shelter is, especially if you require special medical or pet-friendly accommodations.
  • Have a plan for essential medicine or medical equipment that require power, such as an oxygen concentrator, CPAP machine, insulin, etc.
  • If special medical attention is needed, call the Polk County Special Needs Program to pre-register at 863-298-7027
  • Review your insurance policy.
  • Make sure your yard is tidy. For example, trim trees and shrubbery and clear clogged gutters of debris.
  • Identify your fuse box or electric panel and know how to shut it off in case you need to evacuate.
  • Know your evacuation zone and local shelters
Did you know Lakeland Electric prepares for hurricane season year-round? Our storm hardening plan undergrounds targeted overhead lines, trims trees, and hardens equipment like poles and substations to prevent outages. And our employees have emergency response plans and mock drills every year so we are ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible restoration to our customers when storms hit our area.


Are you in a Watch Area? The Time to Act is Now!

  • Make sure family vehicles have been serviced and are fueled up.
  • Have extra cash on hand.
  • Make sure cell phones are charged.
  • Bring all lightweight yard objects, such as garbage cans or furniture, inside.
  • Monitor radio stations, TV and weather alert radio for storm updates.
  • Unplug your small appliances to avoid the risk of electric surge damage.
  • Unplug major appliances.
  • Fill your bathtub and other containers with water. It can be used for cleaning, washing dishes, or flushing the toilet.


Are you in a Warning Area? Severe Weather is Imminent.

  • If you are in an evacuation zone, be sure to take important documents with you.
  • If you evacuate, shut off electric, gas, and water at the main panels.
  • Notify family and friends that you have evacuated and what your destination is.
  • Do not stay in a mobile or manufactured home.
Once a storm is headed for our area, every single Lakeland Electric employee begins working in their designated "storm role" to be ready to assist our customers – many working on the “Ride-out Crew” manning critical posts throughout the storm itself.


When the Storm Hits Just Hunker Down

When the storm hits, stay indoors and away from windows. If the eye of the storm passes over your area, do not go outside even during the calm from the eye of the storm as it is usually brief.


After the Storm Passes

  • Do not attempt to trim any limbs near the power lines.
  • Do not attempt to pull out debris from under or near fallen power lines.
  • Do not assume a fallen power line has no electricity; fallen power lines can be deadly!
  • If possible, stay indoors. Debris clean-up can wait until crews are finished restoring power.
  • Check for electrical damage inside your home such as frayed wires, sparks, or the smell of burned insulation. If you find damage, do not turn the power on! Call a licensed electrician.
  • Don’t drink tap water until you’ve received official word that it’s safe. Boil water if in doubt.
  • Replenish your 7-Day emergency kit.
Once conditions improve, and as soon as we can, our team will be working to restore your power as quickly and safely as possible. We can’t guarantee things will be fixed overnight, but we can guarantee we won’t rest until they are.


What to do if your Power Goes Out

  • Check all circuit breakers and fuses to make sure the problem is not in your home.
  • Check the Lakeland Electric Outage Map for restoration time estimates. Our smart grid system notifies us when you are out of power.
  • If for some reason you don’t see your outage on the map, text OUT to 21595 or call the Automated Reporting Line at 866.834.4248.
  • Leave all electrical appliances and lights turned off except for one light in a location that will indicate the return of service.
  • Leave the doors of freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible.
  • Keep blinds and curtains closed to help reduce the interior heat of your home.
  • All electric garage door openers have manual releases or manual operators.
  • Once power is restored, check your breaker panel or fuse box to ensure that individual breakers or fuses do not need to be reset.