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Contact: Ron Whittington
904-563-0402 (cell)
JEA Prepares for Possible Impact of Frances
Jacksonville, FL (September 3, 2004) - JEA is making all necessary preparations to ensure the utility is fully mobilized to deal with the effects of Hurricane Frances.
According to JEA CEO Jim Dickenson, all JEA employees are on stand-by and ready to respond to the storm’s outcome over the weekend.
“All JEA construction sites will be secured by Friday in advance of the storm,” Dickenson said. “In addition, we’ve notified contractors who can assist us and we can also secure additional equipment in case it’s needed for service restoration.”
As with any storm of this magnitude, JEA expects some power outages – especially if the Jacksonville area experiences wind gusts of more than 50 miles per hour. JEA will have service restored as quickly as possible, keeping the safety of work crews in mind.
JEA is also concerned with the safety of its customers.
“Customers who plan to use a portable generator should hook appliances directly into the generator, not into your home’s internal wiring, and turn off the main breaker on your electrical panel,” Dickenson said. “Also, place generators outside to prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning.”
Other key safety precautions include:
- Never walk near downed power lines. Always assume they are live wires, even if you don’t see sparks. Also, electricity can travel along water for several yards, so stay as far from the lines as you can.
- Report downed power lines/sparking power lines to JEA at 904-665-6000.
- If your home has been flooded, have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician before turning your power back on. Do the same for your central air conditioning unit.
- Food left in an unopened refrigerator will stay fresh for up to 48 hours. Freezing water and storing it in the refrigerator can help, and give you extra clean water once it melts. If you have food in the freezer, prepare it as soon as it thaws (if you can). Don't refreeze thawed food.
For more tips about emergency preparedness and customer safety after the storm, customers should check out jea.com.
Weathering the Storm
Evacuation Procedures
If you plan to evacuate your home, JEA recommends that you turn off all breakers on your electrical panel except those powering your refrigerator and freezer. (If you use natural gas, contact your local gas company.)
Downed power lines
STAY AWAY from downed power lines. They may be energized. You don't have to touch a downed line to be electrocuted - a line standing in water or on wet ground is life threatening. Report downed lines immediately by calling JEA at 665-6000.
Home Safety Measures
If your home has been flooded, have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician before turning your power back on. Do the same for your central air conditioning unit.
Reporting loss of power
If you are without electricity or water service AFTER these services have been restored in your neighborhood, call JEA at 904-665-6000.
The water supply
- Boil Water Advisories - JEA's water system could also suffer damage during a hurricane that could affect water pressure and quality. Don't drink, brush your teeth, or bathe with tap water until you have been informed that it is safe. If this happens, JEA will issue advisories to the news media that will identify affected locations. We'll also update the advisories as services are restored and the water is once again safe to drink and use.
- How to purify water - Use a liquid household bleach. Add ¼ teaspoon per gallon. Shake it and let it stand for 30 minutes. If you have electricity, and a boil water advisory is in effect, bring the water to a rolling boil for 5 minutes. Strain it through a clean cloth to remove sediment.
The refrigerator
Food left in an unopened refrigerator will stay fresh for up to 48 hours. Freezing water and storing it in the refrigerator can help, and give you extra clean water once it melts. If you have food in the freezer, prepare it as soon as it thaws. Don't refreeze thawed food.
Portable Generators
Portable generators can offer convenience during periods of prolonged power outages. They can also be dangerous if used improperly. Always ground the generator in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, turn off the power at the main circuit breaker before you connect any appliances to the generator and keep it turned off while the generator is in operation. Never connect the generator to your home's wiring system. Also, place the generator outside the home to prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning.
JEA is the eighth largest community-owned electric utility in America, providing electric, water and sewer services to more than 750,000 accounts in Northeast Florida.
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