A. Berl Davis Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer Are you storm ready?

September 1, 2025

As we are now in the middle of another hurricane season here in the Lowcountry, I want to take a moment to talk about something that impacts all of us—storm readiness.

At Palmetto Electric Cooperative, we have seen firsthand the toll that storms and hurricanes can take on the communities we serve. From downed trees and broken poles to widespread outages, the damage can be severe. For many of us, memories of Hurricane Helene, which hit our area one year ago this September, still serve as a powerful reminder of how important it is to be prepared before a storm arrives.

Storm readiness is not just something we do once—it is a fundamental part of our mission to keep the lights on and our communities powered safely. While we review our internal emergency operations plans, we also want to make sure you, our members, are equally prepared at home by providing simple yet essential steps you can take to protect your home and family.

  • Emergency plan Prepare and review with family. Know safe spots at home, evacuation routes, and how to stay in touch. Prepare pets and ensure everyone understands the plan.

  • Emergency kit Stock water, non-perishable food, flashlights, and batteries. Visit redcross.org for a complete list. Secure important documents and insurance information.

  • Surge protection Use surge protectors and consider Palmetto Electric’s Surge Guard protection for your home.

  • Home preparation Trim trees, clear debris and secure outdoor items and windows if needed.

  • Stay connected Keep devices charged, with backup batteries, and emergency apps installed. Follow us on our social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and X.

  • Contact info Keep a list of emergency numbers including Palmetto Electric Cooperative. Report outages by calling PowerTouch at 1 (866) 445-5551 or use MyEnergy Online and the free MyEnergy mobile app.

  • Recovery Wait for authorities to declare safety before returning home, following an evacuation. Avoid fallen power lines and report safety hazards to 911 immediately.

At Palmetto Electric Cooperative, the safety of our members and employees is our top priority—before, during, and after a storm. By working together to plan ahead and prepare wisely, we can prevail in the face of any storm. Hurricane season may be unpredictable, but our commitment to our members remains constant.

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A. Berl Davis Jr.

President and CEO