Prepare now for Hurricane Dorian

Floridians are bracing for Hurricane Dorian to make landfall on the state’s east coast as a category 4 storm early next week. Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas are also expected to feel the effects as it moves out of Florida.

The company expects strong winds, heavy rain and flooding that could damage its infrastructure and result in extended power outages, so the company is planning to have personnel ready to restore power as soon as it is safe to do so.  Lineworkers and other crews are checking equipment, supplies and inventories to ensure materials are available.

Restoring power after a storm can be difficult with flooding and damage to roads and infrastructure. Crews first must assess the extent of damage – which can take 24 hours or more – to determine which crews, equipment and supplies are needed before repairs can begin.

Here’s how you can prepare for a hurricane or major storm.

• Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized, as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.
• If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you must get out of the car due to a fire or other life-threatening situation, jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
• Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later. The kit should include everything an individual or family would need for at least two weeks, especially medicines and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm strikes.
• Maintain a supply of water and nonperishable food.
• Keep a portable radio or TV or a NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and local officials.
• Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices to stay connected to safety and response information. Consider buying portable chargers and make sure they are fully charged.
• Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended power outage occurs or evacuation is required.
• Pet owners can make arrangements to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets, friends' or family members' homes, or pet-friendly hotels. Review insurance policies, and include extra copies of the policies and other important documents in your emergency supply kit (ideally in a waterproof container).
• Flooding can create navigational hazards, so use caution and listen to local emergency management officials.
• Stay tuned to local news for the latest advisories from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center (NHC), as well as state and local emergency management officials.
• For a hurricane kit checklist and important safety information, ready.gov.