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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Progress Energy
Florida continues to monitor Tropical Storm Fay closely and is preparing for
the storm's potential impact on the company's service area.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c )
Progress Energy Florida today opened its system storm center in Winter
Garden to ensure quick response to storm damage and enhanced information flow
to customers. The command center mobilizes resources to respond to severe
weather, including plans for staging and logistics.
"We are prepared for whatever Mother Nature sends our way," said Jason
Cutliffe, Progress Energy Florida's system storm coordinator. "We make
continual improvements to our power restoration efforts based on the lessons
we have learned from other storms."
The company has mobilized 100 tree contractors from the Carolinas, who are
expected to arrive in Florida tonight. Progress Energy Carolinas is sending
about 100 line personnel, and the company has secured 400 line workers from
other utilities, from as far away as Missouri and Michigan. Line crews are
expected to arrive in Florida Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Carolinas
utility continues to monitor forecasts and prepare for the possibility of
storm-related issues later in the week as the system moves north.
The company's plan includes mobilizing employees to handle increased
customer calls, to quickly evaluate storm damage, to coordinate line crew and
equipment mobilization, to coordinate materials required for repairs, and to
arrange meals and lodging for out-of-town workers.
Customers and media can search outage information on Progress Energy's Web
site 24 hours a day at www.progress-energy.com/outagemap. During major events
such as storms, the map tool will present outages by county -- highlighted in
yellow shades, based on severity, and updated several times a day.
The quickest way to report an outage during a storm is to call our
automated outage-reporting system at 1-800-228-8485.
Progress Energy offers the following storm safety tips:
When the storm threatens
-- Check supplies and make sure you have the following items: portable
radio with fresh batteries, flashlight, candles or lamps, matches, first aid
kit, canned or packaged food that can be prepared without cooking or
refrigeration, several days' supply of drinking water (one quart per person,
per day), a full tank of gas in your car and cash.
-- Unplug major non-vital appliances. Advanced surge-protection systems
will protect your home from most power surges, but will not prevent damage
from a direct lighting strike.
-- Pay attention to local television and radio broadcasts for storm
position, intensity and expected landfall.
-- Prepare for high winds by boarding up or taping windows and other
glass, anchoring objects outside and bracing garage door.
-- Move boats and trailers close to the house and check mooring lines of
boats in the water.
-- Put important papers in watertight containers (take them if you
evacuate) and move valuables to upper stories of your home.
-- Fill your bathtub with water for sanitary purposes. Because water
conducts electricity, it is not safe to run water during a storm.
-- If you know someone who relies on electric-powered life-support
equipment, be prepared to move that person to a facility outside of the
storm's projected path to avoid the risk of an extended power outage.
When the storm hits
-- Stay indoors in an inside room away from doors and windows, electrical
outlets and water pipes. Don't go out in the brief calm during the eye of the
storm.
-- Keep television and radio tuned for information from official sources.
Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
-- If you evacuate, shut off gas, water and electricity at the breaker
box. Take blankets, first aid supplies and other essential items to the
nearest shelter.
After the storm has passed
-- Never go near downed power lines. Always assume they are energized and
extremely dangerous. If someone suffers an electric shock from coming in
contact with a power line, call 911 or your local rescue squad immediately.
Even minor shocks may cause serious health problems later.
-- Check for electrical damage inside your home, such as frayed wires,
sparks or the smell of burning insulation. If you find damage, don't turn
your power on until an electrician inspects your system and makes necessary
repairs.
-- Walk or drive cautiously. Watch out for debris-filled streets and
weakened bridges. Snakes and insects can be a problem.
-- Use your emergency water supply or boil water before drinking it until
local officials deem the water supply safe. Report broken sewer or water
mains.
-- Make temporary repairs to protect property from further damage or
looting. Beware of unscrupulous contractors.
If the power goes out
-- Call Progress Energy Florida at (800) 228-8485 to report power outages.
Our automated system is capable of handling more than 120,000 calls per hour.
Entering your phone number or Progress Energy account number in the system
ensures that we know about your outage and will capture that information in
our restoration plans. Once restoration time estimates are developed, those
estimates will also be available to you through the automated system.
-- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food usually stays frozen
about 48 hours. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours.
Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.
-- Do not connect a generator directly to your home's electrical system.
It is dangerous to you, your neighbors and utility workers. Follow
manufacturer's directions regarding connecting appliances directly to your
generator.
-- In any power outage, utility crews restore service as quickly as
possible, starting with the largest lines and facilities serving the most
people.
Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN),
provides electricity and related services to 1.7 million customers in Florida.
The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory
encompassing more than 20,000 square miles including the cities of St.
Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding
Orlando. Progress Energy Florida is pursuing a balanced strategy for a secure
energy future. That balance includes aggressive energy-efficiency programs,
investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art
electricity system. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the
company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.
SOURCE Progress Energy Florida
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