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Preparation key to outage recovery when disaster strikes
If you believe more storms than usual passed through your area this spring, you’re probably right. The United States is experiencing a trend of increasing storm activity and could set a record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
On April 6 more than 30 different tornado warnings were issued for parts of Mississippi and Louisiana. Some of the tornadoes raked central Mississippi, destroying or damaging homes, businesses and farm operations.
Many of the trees uprooted in the storms took power lines and poles down with them, knocking out electric service to thousands of consumers.
Electric power associations whose service areas suffered storm-related power outages immediately put their emergency plans into action. Teams of employees quickly assessed the damage to lines, substations and other power distribution facilities. Then crews were dispatched to repair and rebuild lines.
Although tornadoes can form at any time of year, occurences in Mississippi usually increase in spring and early summer. Just as the threat of major tornado outbreaks begins diminishing in June, hurricane season kicks in. In this part of the country, hurricane season extends from June to November.
Regardless of the season, electric power associations never let down their guard when it comes to preparing for emergency response. Our employees stand ready year-round for quick recovery from outages, whether affecting 10 or 10,000 members.
Preparation before a disaster strikes is critical to a speedy and safe power restoration effort. Electric power associations develop emergency plans that take into account specific threats to their service area. Those serving coastal areas, for example, must deal with the likelihood of storm surges and extensive flash flooding that accompany hurricanes. Electric power associations serving northern counties—generally those north of I-20—are more subject to ice storms, which can bring down literally thousands of miles of power line.
A manmade disaster can happen anywhere. Fire, industrial accidents, toxi waste spills, a terrorist attack—all require an emergency response plan.
No matter the cause of the outage, all emergency response boils down to the coordination of manpower, materials and transportation. Our goal is to get people and materials where they are needed most.
Emergency plans shift job responsibilities so that the most can be done in the shortest amount of time. A cashier, for example, may take outage calls or help prepare meals for crews in the field.
Emergency coordination may include assistance from other electric power associations in the state, who readily send crews to expedite power restoration in storm-stricken areas.
After restoration is complete, electric power association personnel review the effectiveness of their plan, pinpoint weak spots and revise or update it.
As hurricane season begins, rest assured your electric power association is poised to strike back if a storm heads our way.
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