Progress Energy Carolinas Ready for Weekend Effects of Hanna
05 September 2008 - 2:04AM
PR Newswire (US)
RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With Tropical
Storm/Hurricane Hanna expected to make landfall in south-coastal
North Carolina in the early morning hours Saturday, Progress Energy
Carolinas (NYSE: PGN) is making final preparations, including
moving resources to areas expected to sustain the strongest
impacts. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c ) The
company will move some Progress Energy and contract crews from
Western North Carolina to coastal areas Friday, so they will be in
place and can support outage restoration once the storm passes
Saturday morning. The company also will bring in crews from other
Progress Energy locations, as well as non-company crews from the
region, as the situation warrants. On its current forecast path,
Hanna would be expected to cause damage and power outages,
primarily in eastern North Carolina, but some impacts could extend
well inland, depending on the storm's ultimate course and
intensity. Progress Energy will maintain line and tree crews in all
areas where the storm could create power outages, including the
Triangle, Sandhills and South Carolina. Once those areas are clear,
teams will be sent to eastern North Carolina to support restoration
there as needed. Meanwhile, the company continues to monitor other
Atlantic storms, particularly Hurricane Ike, which this morning was
a strong Category 4 storm. Forecasts vary considerably, and there
is a potential for impacts to the Southeastern United States next
week. Tropical Storm Josephine is also churning farther east in the
Atlantic. "Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, with three major
storms lined up back to back to back, it is very clear that we're
in the heart of hurricane season," said Hershell McCarty, Progress
Energy Carolinas storm coordinator. "We plan for this year-round,
so that we're ready to respond quickly and safely to any kind of
storm that threatens our service area." The company's storm 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.
Progress Energy works to minimize storm impacts year-round through
preventive maintenance, including trimming of trees around the
company's 6,000 miles of transmission lines and 60,000 miles of
electric distribution lines. Wind-blown trees and limbs are the
leading cause of power outages during storms. Customers and media
can find outage information on Progress Energy's Web site 24 hours
a day at http://www.progress-energy.com/outagemap . During major
events such as storms, the map will be updated several times a day.
The quickest way to report an outage during a storm is to call the
automated outage-reporting system at 1-800-419-6356. For the latest
information, visit Progress Energy's storm site online at
http://www.progress-energy.com/storm . Progress Energy offers the
following storm safety tips: When a 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 lightning 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. -- Secure boats and
trailers located near homes 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 a 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. Electricity
can be shut off at the breaker box. Take blankets, first aid
supplies and other essential items to the nearest shelter. After a
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 Carolinas at (800)
419-6356 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, headquartered
in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 250 energy company with more than
21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual
revenues. The company will observe a century of operation in 2008.
Progress Energy includes two major utilities that serve 3.1 million
customers in the Carolinas and Florida. Progress Energy is the 2006
recipient of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, the
industry's highest honor, in recognition of its operational
excellence. The company also is the first utility to receive the
prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder's Award for customer
service. Progress Energy serves two fast-growing areas of the
country, and the company is pursuing a balanced approach to meeting
the future energy needs of the region. That balance includes
increased 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 http://www.progress-energy.com/ .
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Progress Energy Carolinas
CONTACT: Progress Energy Carolinas Corporate Communications 24-Hour
Media Line 877-641-NEWS (6397) Web site:
http://www.progress-energy.com/
http://www.progress-energy.com/outagemap
http://www.progress-energy.com/storm
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