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Built Before the Storm
SVEC prepares year-round to keep the lights on
When a summer storm disrupts service, trucks roll out immediately so line crews can get the lights flickering back to life. What may not be seen is the work that happens long before the first storm clouds form.
At Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, storm preparedness isn’t just a checklist, it’s a year-round commitment.
“Preparation and action, that’s really what it comes down to,” SVEC Chief Operating Officer Trevor Touchton says. “You can talk about it all day, but being able to do it and repeat it is what matters.”
Before hurricane season begins in June, SVEC crews are working to strengthen the system. Routine equipment maintenance and right-of-way clearing prevent outages. Every pole inspected, every tree limb trimmed enhances reliability.
“We know every pole we put in the ground could be something we have to replace after a storm, so we prepare for that,” Touchton says.
Once hurricane season ends, preparation for the next begins. In December and January, what worked and what didn’t over the previous six months are studied, along with where improvements can be made.
“It’s about being honest with yourself,” Touchton says. “Where could we have done better? Then you fix it before the next storm comes.”
At Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, storm preparedness isn’t just a checklist, it’s a year-round commitment.
“Preparation and action, that’s really what it comes down to,” SVEC Chief Operating Officer Trevor Touchton says. “You can talk about it all day, but being able to do it and repeat it is what matters.”
Before hurricane season begins in June, SVEC crews are working to strengthen the system. Routine equipment maintenance and right-of-way clearing prevent outages. Every pole inspected, every tree limb trimmed enhances reliability.
“We know every pole we put in the ground could be something we have to replace after a storm, so we prepare for that,” Touchton says.
Once hurricane season ends, preparation for the next begins. In December and January, what worked and what didn’t over the previous six months are studied, along with where improvements can be made.
“It’s about being honest with yourself,” Touchton says. “Where could we have done better? Then you fix it before the next storm comes.”
Planning the response
As spring approaches, preparations shift into high gear. SVEC secures contracts for additional line crews, vegetation teams and base camp support. This year, that process has expanded through coordination with the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association, allowing co-ops across the state to work together to secure resources.
At the same time, the cooperative stocks up on poles, transformers, wire and necessary hardware so crews have what they need for their restoration efforts. “You’ve got to be ready for everything,” Touchton says. “From manpower to materials to making sure people have a place to sleep and eat, you’ve got to cover it all.”
SVEC coordinates closely with county emergency management teams and utility partners like Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light and Seminole Electric Cooperative to ensure restoration efforts are aligned across shared systems. That coordination helps streamline communication and ensures power is restored as efficiently as possible across the region.
“It’s about making sure everybody’s on the same page before anything happens,” Touchton says.
At the same time, the cooperative stocks up on poles, transformers, wire and necessary hardware so crews have what they need for their restoration efforts. “You’ve got to be ready for everything,” Touchton says. “From manpower to materials to making sure people have a place to sleep and eat, you’ve got to cover it all.”
SVEC coordinates closely with county emergency management teams and utility partners like Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light and Seminole Electric Cooperative to ensure restoration efforts are aligned across shared systems. That coordination helps streamline communication and ensures power is restored as efficiently as possible across the region.
“It’s about making sure everybody’s on the same page before anything happens,” Touchton says.
Practice + logistics = speed
SVEC regularly reviews its Emergency Restoration Plan, conducting dry runs and internal exercises to ensure every employee understands his or her role. In the field, crews study their service areas, learning alternate routes, line
configurations and potential trouble spots before a storm
ever arrives.
To reduce travel time and improve efficiency, SVEC sets up strategic locations across its service territory, called laydown yards, where materials can be staged and distributed quickly. Instead of relying solely on its main campus, crews can access supplies closer to where they’re working, saving valuable time during restoration. “You don’t want to figure things out in the middle of a storm,” Touchton says. “You want to already know. It’s about cutting down that windshield time and getting materials where they need to be faster.” SVEC’s storm readiness extends to its Rapid Fiber Internet system. Fiber infrastructure at substations is equipped with backup generators, helping maintain
internet connectivity even if power is lost at those locations. That connectivity supports both members and first responders, who rely on access to communication during emergencies. Local preparation efforts were put to the test in a big way with the onslaught of three major storms in 2023 and 2024. Hurricanes Idalia, Debby and Helene activated every aspect of the cooperative’s planning and reinforced the value of thinking ahead. SVEC’s campus can support more than 2,000 personnel during restoration efforts, creating a self-contained hub for crews arriving from throughout the Southeast. Those crews often work long days under challenging conditions, driven by a shared mission. “It’s like a small city,” Touchton says. “You’re feeding people, housing them, fueling trucks, everything it takes to keep them working. They show up for those 16-hour days and keep going. That’s true grit.”
configurations and potential trouble spots before a storm
ever arrives.
To reduce travel time and improve efficiency, SVEC sets up strategic locations across its service territory, called laydown yards, where materials can be staged and distributed quickly. Instead of relying solely on its main campus, crews can access supplies closer to where they’re working, saving valuable time during restoration. “You don’t want to figure things out in the middle of a storm,” Touchton says. “You want to already know. It’s about cutting down that windshield time and getting materials where they need to be faster.” SVEC’s storm readiness extends to its Rapid Fiber Internet system. Fiber infrastructure at substations is equipped with backup generators, helping maintain
internet connectivity even if power is lost at those locations. That connectivity supports both members and first responders, who rely on access to communication during emergencies. Local preparation efforts were put to the test in a big way with the onslaught of three major storms in 2023 and 2024. Hurricanes Idalia, Debby and Helene activated every aspect of the cooperative’s planning and reinforced the value of thinking ahead. SVEC’s campus can support more than 2,000 personnel during restoration efforts, creating a self-contained hub for crews arriving from throughout the Southeast. Those crews often work long days under challenging conditions, driven by a shared mission. “It’s like a small city,” Touchton says. “You’re feeding people, housing them, fueling trucks, everything it takes to keep them working. They show up for those 16-hour days and keep going. That’s true grit.”
Always looking ahead
SVEC constantly evaluates potential challenges, from fuel availability to material access, and looks for ways to improve before the next storm forms. For members, that preparation means confidence. When storms arrive, SVEC is ready, not just to respond, but to respond safely, efficiently and effectively. “With the right planning, the right preparation and the right team, you can do this,” Touchton says. “You can respond quickly, you can respond safely, and you can take care of your members.” And long before the winds pick up, that work is well underway.
