Storm Planning

Posted by Kimberly Field Aug 30, 2006

Tropical storm Ernesto passed swiftly through Florida leaving it soaked, but not damaged. There are two more months of hurricane season left and already there are signs of hurricane fatigue. With the last two months projected to be the most active, Florida Power and Light (FPL) has a plan to bring some smiles to the sunshine state.

Prior to a hurricane hitting the sunny state, staff members run through a drill, also known as a dry run, to test and fine-tune storm related processes and technologies. Each employee is assigned with a specific task during and after a hurricane. Once the training is completed, they are mobilized into staging sites. These sites help assess damage, determine and communicate estimated times of power restoration and repair.

The plan this year is to correct leaning poles, line clearing and additional pole inspections. They also are strengthening existing power grids and adopting new construction standards that will withstand stronger hurricanes. This means less power outages and more happy customers. Will it guarantee Floridians power through a hurricane? No, but it does mean the downtown will be kept at a minimal. Unfortunately, there's only one way to find out if all of this planning pays off.

FPL is one of the nation's cleanest electric utilities. Half of their electricity comes from regulated nuclear plants and clean-burning natural gas plants. There fuel diversity is as follows: natural gas 42%, nuclear 20%, purchased power 17%, oil 16%, and coal 5%.