Florida Keys’ power companies are among the best in the world when it comes to restoring power following a hurricane. When you see the Keys Energy and Florida Keys Electric Co-op trucks on the road after a storm, give them plenty of room to work — and thank those crews for what they’re doing. Take the time, now, to prevent outages when you can, and prepare for what may come.
TREE INSPECTION
Check the power lines surrounding your homes before a storm threatens the area. Take a close look at the “service drop” lines connecting your home to the nearest power pole. If you see limbs and trees with the chance to damage those lines in high winds, call FKEC at 305-852-2431 (Upper and Middle Keys) or Keys Energy at 305-295-1010 (Lower Keys and Key West).
HAVE AN EXIT PLAN
If you or someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining medical equipment, have an emergency plan for backup power or a plan to relocate when a storm warning is issued. Residents are encouraged to seek safety and follow any evacuation orders set by Monroe County.
KEEP AWAY FROM
DOWNED POWER LINES
Like a ripple in the water, electricity from a downed line flows into the ground in a big circle up to 35 feet away. This means even getting near a downed power line can be deadly. Stay clear of all downed power lines or electrical equipment. Assume all cables and wires are energized and stay away. Call 911, FKEC at 305-852-2431 or Keys Energy at 305-295-1010 to report fallen power lines which present a clear and imminent danger to you or others.
SURGE PROTECTION
Implement meter-mounted surge protection. To protect your home from power surges, use a surge protector mounted at the electric meter in combination with plug-in surge protectors for individual voltage-sensitive electronic devices. Before a storm threatens, make sure you have all the equipment needed to secure your house or business. FKEC offers Meter-Treater Meter-Based Surge Protection which you can find more information about by visiting https://fkec.com/services/surge-protection/.
GENERATOR SAFETY
- Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring without a Generlink or other approved interconnect device. Power from a generator connected to a home’s wiring will “back feed” into utility lines and could seriously hurt power crews working to restore service.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator’s outlet.
- Don’t leave a running generator unattended; turn it off at night and when away from home. Never refuel a hot generator or one that is running; hot engine parts or exhaust can ignite gasoline. Turn off all connected appliances before starting your generator.
- Turn connected appliances on one at a time, never exceeding the generator’s rated wattage. Overloading the generator can result in damage to appliances it is powering.
- Remember, gasoline-powered generators produce deadly carbon monoxide fumes. Never run generators inside, in a garage or any enclosed or partially enclosed areas. You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide (CO), and portable generators can produce high levels of the toxic gas very quickly.
- Keep generators away from all open windows — including neighbors’ windows — so deadly exhaust (CO) does not enter their home or business. To be safe, buy a battery-operated carbon-monoxide alarm when you buy your generator. It works like a smoke alarm, sounding an alert if carbon monoxide levels become dangerous.
STAY IN THE KNOW
During a storm, FKEC and Keys Energy Services will use all means of communication to keep customers informed. FKEC customers can sign up for outage texting. This service allows FKEC to send you power outage and restoration information as well as allowing you to report outages via text – your mobile number must be pre-registered with FKEC to report via text. More information is at www.fkec.com/outage-center. Keys Energy customers can find outage information at keysenergy.com/report-outage.
Before, during and after a storm, FKEC will share valuable information at www.fkec.com, on Facebook @FloridaKeysElectricCooperative and email on file. FKEC encourages members to have a current email address. FKEC members can update contact information through the SmartHub online/mobile app or at fkec.com/access-your-account.
Keys Energy will provide information at keysenergy.com, on X at Keys Energy Services and on Facebook @keysenergy.
If you have internet access after a storm, Keys Energy Services and FKEC websites also feature an outage map that shows where power is out throughout the utilities’ service area. FKEC also has a live outage viewer map where you can track the status of power outages.
