OCALA, Fla. (June 1, 2023) – The 2023 Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) reminds customers to stay safe, be prepared and have a plan. To download the free Storm Preparation Guide, view and report a power outage, or receive power outage notifications, visit severeweather.ocalafl.org.  If a storm does affect this area, stay away from downed power lines – DO NOT come into contact with them. OEU will work diligently to restore power as quickly as possible.

OEU has developed nine safety tips that electric customers should follow to protect themselves and their homes. These safety tips point out information customers may not know or may have forgotten from past hurricanes, tropical storms and other weather-related events.

• When using a portable generator: DO NOT run a generator in the house, in the garage, or plug a generator directly into a house’s main electrical system. The first two could lead to suffocation and the third could send an electrical charge back to the power grid, creating an electrocution hazard for utility workers. DO set up generators outside in a well-ventilated area and DO plug individual appliances directly into the generator or have a licensed electrician install a generator outlet. 
• If you or a loved one has special needs, it is important to have an evacuation plan and know special needs shelter locations.
• Plan a hurricane evacuation route by visiting www.FloridaDisaster.org.
• Clear patios, decks and yards of lawn furniture, toys, potted plants, and other items that could blow away and cause damage or injury. 
• Always carry proper identification to pass through neighborhood identification check points in the event access is restricted to residents and homeowners only.
• A home’s weatherhead should be inspected for damage after a severe weather event. The weatherhead is located above the electric meter, where the electrical wires exit the conduit. The weatherhead is the homeowner’s responsibility, and utility workers cannot reconnect service if it is damaged. Contact a licensed electrician for repairs.
• Collect water in your water heater by turning off the power to the unit and closing the water valve. If you lose water pressure, approximately 40 gallons of fresh water will be stored in the tank. Fill bathtubs and the washing machine with water for cleaning and operating toilets.
• Locate shut-off valves and locations for gas, water and electricity in the event they need to be turned off.
• Create a hurricane survival kit that includes: first aid supplies, drinking water (at least one gallon per person, per day), batteries, flashlights, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, manual can opener, prescriptions, baby food and diapers, pet food, canned foods, cash, tarps, rope, bleach, trash bags, charcoal or gas grill with plenty of fuel, wooden kitchen matches and a portable cooler. Consider using a hard-wired, corded phone as cordless phones will not work during a power outage.

"OEU encourages you and your family to be safe and prepared this storm season. It is never too soon to start preparing for potentially severe weather,” said Doug Peebles, Director, Ocala Electric Utility. “Make sure to download your free Storm Preparation Guide today and have an emergency family plan. Don't forget to sign up for outage notifications at severeweather.ocalafl.org.”