Be Ready. Be Safe. Be Prepared

In the Lowcountry, dangerous storms can occur at any time of year, and especially during hurricane season. It only takes one storm to cause massive destruction and loss of life. It is very important that we are all prepared for these storms, as well as any power outages that may occur. 

Through South Carolina Living and other media outlets, Palmetto Electric does its best to help you prepare and keep you informed. Serving a coastal area, we know firsthand the importance of planning for anything from a batten-down-the hatches tropical storm to a full-blown evacuation-level hurricane. We have created a list of helpful tips to ensure that you and your family stay as safe as possible, whether you remain here or need to evacuate:

• Have an emergency plan and review it with your family. Everyone needs to know the safest place in your home and how you will contact each other. In case of evacuation, fill your gas tank and withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Make necessary arrangements for your pets and be sure your entire family is aware of the evacuation plan. 

• Have an emergency supply kit ready: Bottled water, non-perishable food items and flashlights with extra batteries are just a few items you will need. Refer to the American Red Cross (redcross.org) for a complete list of what to include in your kit. You also need to keep insurance and other important documents in a safe place. 

• Use surge protectors on appliances and electronics.  Have a system installed, like Palmetto Electric's meter-based Surge Guard Protection package, to help safeguard your home.

• Prepare your home: Disconnect electronic equipment such as TVs and computers to avoid voltage sags/surges, trim any weak limbs or shrubs that may cause damage to your home and board windows if necessary. Keep your landscape free of debris and remove any objects that could become projectiles. 

• Stay connected:  Be prepared for an outage by keeping devices charged, keeping backup batteries available, and by downloading emergency apps.

• Keep a list of contact information: Emergency management services, county law enforcement, local fire/rescue and your utility providers (Palmetto Electric) are important numbers to have on hand. To report power outages, call PowerTouch at 1-866-445-5551 or log on to MyEnergy Online, on our website or by using the MyEnergy mobile app. Stay tuned in to local TV and radio stations, as well as our social media channels for developing information on potential storms and outages. Make sure your co-op has your correct contact information.  

• Recovery: In case of an evacuation, do not return home until the area is declared safe. Be sure to stay clear of fallen utility lines and avoid tree limbs and debris that could hide fallen lines. If you see a line down, call 911 immediately.

*Palmetto Electric Cooperative is not an official weather source; it should not be your sole source for official advisories, discussions, watches, or warnings and is meant only as a guide.

Portable Generators

If you have a portable generator, it should be isolated from our lines, or be equipped with a properly installed double-throw switch installed by a licensed electrician. Generators that are not isolated or installed improperly can feed back into our lines and possibly electrocute anyone coming in contact with those wires, including you, your children, neighbors, our line personnel, pets, or livestock.

If you plan to use a portable generator, here are some important safety precautions:

• If you have any doubts about how to properly use a portable electric generator, contact the manufacturer or a licensed electrician for assistance.

• Locate your generator in a well-ventilated area. Never run it inside, even in your garage. Gasoline-powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly.

• Plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty, properly grounded extension cords. Make sure that extension cords are not frayed or worn. Do not connect your power generator directly to your home’s main fuse box or circuit panel. Limit the number of appliances you use to no more than the recommended wattage of the generator.

• Read all instructions carefully and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use the generator only when necessary, and don’t overload it. Turn it off at night while you sleep and when you are away from home to avoid possible fire hazard.