According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, 6.5 million homes and businesses were without power after Hurricane Irma. Areas affected included Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Florida Power & Light responded quickly with 16,000 crews on standby to restore power once it was safe to perform repairs. Residents in the affected areas were asked to contact the utility company to report an outage. As long as conditions were safe, crews from the electric company began restoring power once the severe weather has passed and continued working until all customers had power. In the event that weather conditions were unsafe, the crews waited until the weather had improved before attempting repairs which extended the duration of the power outage for many home and business owners. Heavy rain, flooding, storm surges, debris and fallen structures had a detrimental effect on the speed with which power was effectively restored. Residents were advised to use caution after the inclement weather and to be aware of reported outages even if their property had not been affected.
Safety Tips for What to Do During a Power Outage at Home
According to the knowledgeable experts at Burley Electrical Services you should stay inside during a power outage whenever possible. Use flashlights instead of candles in your home to avoid the risk of fire and turn off appliances to avoid the risk of a power surge once the power is restored. Attach a strip of glow-in-the-dark adhesive tape to your flashlights to make them easier to locate at night. If you plan on using a generator be sure to place it about 30 feet away from the structure. If you have to leave your property for any reason, proceed with caution and be careful to avoid downed power lines especially during flooding as some lines may be obscured by flood waters.
Power Outage Emergency Survival
Once power is restored you should dispose of any spoiled food items immediately. Food can turn if it is exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more. Contact your health care professional if you are concerned about your refrigerated medications before taking them. Be prepared for your next emergency by restocking your emergency supply kit of bottled water. Pack your flashlight with the batteries upside down to conserve their power. With your power on and threat of severe weather a distant memory contact your Burley Electrical Services experienced electrician to inspect your electrical system and generator hookups, transfer switches, and your emergency power portable and permanent installations. Other areas of consideration include restocking additional emergency supplies including non-perishable food items and refueling your generator.
Generator Hookups, Transfer Switches & More in Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida
To learn more about our full list of residential and commercial electrical services for your South Florida home or business, contact the knowledgeable experts at Burley Electrical Services today.