With Tropical Storm Isaac forecasted to make landfall in Florida and the Gulf Coast early next week, possibly as a hurricane, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) wants to remind you about the importance of preparing for storms and other emergency situations. Taking simple steps now to prepare for emergencies in your home, business, and community can pay great dividends if, and when, an emergency situation occurs.

Be Safe, Be Informed

If a severe storm is approaching:

• Develop an emergency plan that addresses any special medical needs you or your family members have. Call your local emergency management office to discuss necessary arrangements.
• Know all evacuation routes if you live close to the coast.
• Have your Emergency Outage Kit stocked and readily available.
• Pay attention to local weather reports on the radio, television, or Internet.
• Stock up on groceries, water, medications, and any other necessities to avoid the need for travel during the storm.
• If called to evacuate, do so immediately.

If a severe storm does hit your area:

• Stay in a secure room and away from windows. Remain indoors.
• Monitor weather bulletins on a battery-powered radio.
• If your power goes out, report your outage immediately to your local electric company. Don’t rely on your neighbors to report your outage.

Explore EEI’s Web site to find out:

• What to do in case of a power outage; and
• How to stay safe in the event of a hurricane or flash flood.

For more hurricane safety and preparation tips, visit the National Hurricane Survival Initiative.

Severe Weather and Reliability

In addition to customer safety, the electric power industry’s top priority is to provide a reliable supply of on-demand power. Discover how the industry responds to outages caused by severe weather:

• Review the power restoration process;
• Learn about the Mutual Assistance Network; and 
• See the photos and videos of companies working hard to get your power back on after an outage.

And, don’t forget to visit your local electric company’s Web site for the latest updates and guidance on how to prepare for storms.