NATIONAL HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK: CPS ENERGY ASKS, ‘ARE YOU PREPARED?’

The week of May 6 – 12 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week and CPS Energy is asking customers to plan for the start of Hurricane Season, which begins on June 1. Organized by the National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Preparedness Week raises awareness of the dangers and hazards caused by hurricanes and the steps people should take to protect their family, homes and businesses.

The 2017 hurricane season caused unprecedented levels of destruction, and left many without power for days.  “Weather can be unpredictable at times so preparation is necessary,” said Rudy Garza, Senior Vice President of Distribution Services & Operations. “Our team trains year-round for all types of scenarios because it’s important for us to be ready. We ask our customers to do the same by preparing for emergencies and potential power loss during severe storms to ensure their families are safe and comfortable.”

CPS Energy’s team is committed to delivering reliable service, but when severe storms strike, equipment can get damaged. High winds, falling tree branches and lightning are the main causes of outages during storms. To help, CPS Energy is advising customers to have a plan in place. Flashlights, batteries and alternative charging methods for cell phones are a few items customers should have readily available in preparation of power outages. Customers should also update their alert preferences through Manage My Account on cpsenergy.com; this will keep them informed as to the status of their power outage. Customers who rely on battery-operated or power-dependent medical devices should seek assistance in preparation for outages and have a plan in place.

The NWS recommends an Emergency Preparedness Kit. Items should include:

• A minimum of a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day)
• A minimum of a 3-day supply of non-perishable food
• One change of clothing and shoes per person
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person
• An extra set of car keys
• Cash and a credit card
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
• Prescription and non-prescription medicines
• First aid kit
• Emergency tools
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery-powered radio

Portable generators can be an ideal secondary source of power––especially during power failures. But they can be dangerous if not used properly. Safety should always be a priority, so generators should NEVER be run inside a home or garage, or connected to a home’s electrical system. Customers should follow these generators safety tips.

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