Powering Up After an Outage

June 2021

After a storm, Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) crews work long hours to safely restore service to the greatest number of consumers in the shortest time possible. Here’s what’s going on if you find yourself in the dark.

1. High-Voltage Transmission Lines
   These lines serve thousands of consumer members and must be repaired before other parts of the system can operate.
2. Distribution Substations
   Each substation serves hundreds or thousands of members, so repairing equipment here can restore power to many households at once.
3. Main Distribution Feeders
   Repairing damage to feeder lines can bring the lights back on for entire communities or housing developments.
4. Tap Lines
   These smaller supply lines come next. They deliver power to transformers outside businesses, schools, and homes.
5. Individual Homes
   Homes that are still without power may require repairs to the service line between a transformer and the residence.

Staying Informed

Effective hurricane preparedness plans begin with knowing an approaching storm’s potential risk. Small deviations in a storm’s track or slight changes in the strength can dramatically increase or decrease the effects you might experience. Monitor weather reports via local and national media sources, including National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), based on websites like the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service. Listening to an NOAA weather radio is also recommended.

Lines of Communication

Emergencies like hurricanes highlight the importance of good communication, including staying on top of rapidly changing weather conditions and executing evacuation plans.