MONCKS CORNER, S.C. - With anticipated landfall by Tropical Storm Hanna hours away, Santee Cooper moved to its highest alert status, Condition 4, at noon today and finalized preparations to get employees safely through the storm and moving quickly through any necessary recovery actions.

Condition 4 status means potential disaster-causing conditions are an imminent threat to Santee Cooper’s service area. Santee Cooper is:

• Continuing to monitor the storm’s progression and confirming that all vehicles and equipment are fueled, charged and ready to deploy

• Ensuring crews are on standby status for storm recovery work and assigning personnel to outlying areas as necessary

• Finalizing preparations for any outside personnel, if outside services are required for storm recovery efforts

• Communicating with aerial service to activate monitoring of areas of damage after the storm passes through

Santee Cooper’s storm plan includes mobilizing employees to handle increased customer calls, to quickly evaluate storm damage, to coordinate line crew and equipment mobilization and to coordinate materials required for repairs.

As a safety precaution, the utility’s Pawleys Island and Garden City retail offices will close at 3 p.m., and the rest of the offices (with the exception of Moncks Corner, which will observe normal hours) will close at 4 p.m. The Santee Cooper Credit Union in Myrtle Beach will close at 2 p.m., and the Santee Cooper Credit Union in Moncks Corner will close at 2:30.

Customers and media can find safety and outage information at www.SanteeCooper.com. The outage information will be updated several times a day. The customer call center will remain open during the storm, and customers can quickly report storm outages by calling toll free 1-888-769-7688.

Santee Cooper offers the following storm safety tips:

When a storm threatens:

• Check supplies and make sure you have the following items: portable radio with fresh batteries, flashlight, candles or lamps, matches, first aid kit, canned or packaged food that can be prepared without cooking or refrigeration, several days supply of drinking water (one quart per person, per day), a full tank of gasoline in your car and cash.

• Pay attention to local television and radio broadcasts for storm position, intensity and expected landfall.

• Prepare for high winds by boarding up or taping windows and other glass, anchoring objects outside and bracing the garage door.

• Secure boats and trailers located near homes and check mooring lines of boats in the water.

• Put important papers in watertight containers (take them if you evacuate) and move valuables to upper stories of your home.

• Fill your bathtub with water for sanitary purposes.

• If you know someone who relies on electric-powered life-support equipment, be prepared to move that person to a facility outside of the storm's projected path to avoid the risk of an extended power outage.

• If you have elderly family members or neighbors, check on them to ensure they can get to a safe haven for the storm’s arrival.

When a storm hits:

• Stay indoors and away from doors and windows, electrical outlets and water pipes. Don't go outin the brief calm during the eye of the storm.

• Keep television and radio tuned for information from official sources. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.

• If you evacuate, shut off water and electricity. Electricity can be shut off at the breaker box. Take blankets, first aid supplies, medications, a battery operated flash light and other essential items to the nearest shelter.

After a storm has passed:

• Never go near downed power lines. Always assume they are energized and extremely dangerous. If someone suffers an electric shock from coming in contact with a power line, call 911 immediately

• Check for electrical damage inside your home, such as frayed wires, sparks or the smell of burning insulation. If you find damage, don't turn your power on until an electrician inspects your system and makes necessary repairs.

• Walk or drive cautiously. Watch out for debris-filled streets and weakened bridges. Snakes and insects can be a problem.

• Use your emergency water supply or boil water before drinking it until local officials deem the water supply safe. Report broken sewer or water mains.

If the power goes out:

• Call Santee Cooper toll free at 1- (888) 769-7688 to report power outages. Our automated system is capable of handling thousands of calls per hour. Entering your phone number or your Santee Cooper account number in the system ensures that we know about your outage and will capture that information in our restoration plans.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food usually stays frozen about 48 hours. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.

• Do not connect a generator directly to your home's electrical system. It is dangerous to you, your neighbors and utility workers. Follow manufacturer's directions regarding connecting appliances directly to your generator.

• In any power outage, utility crews restore service as quickly as possible, starting with the largest lines and facilities serving the most people.

Santee Cooper is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility and the state's largest power producer, supplying electricity to more than 162,000 retail customers in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties, as well as to 29 large industrial facilities, the cities of Bamberg and Georgetown, and the Charleston Air Force Base. Santee Cooper also generates the power distributed by the state's 20 electric cooperatives to more than 685,000 customers in all 46 counties.

Approximately 2 million South Carolinians receive their power directly or indirectly from Santee Cooper. The utility also provides water to 137,000 consumers in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, and the town of Santee. Visit us online at www.SanteeCooper.com. For information on how Santee Cooper lives green and how you can go green, visit www.SanteeCooperGreen.com

You must be logged in to comment.