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HURRICANE ALEX UPDATES FOR NEC MEMBERS
Friday, July 2, 8:30 am
NEC deactivated its emergency action plan at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday July 1, 2010. All 100 members who reported power interruptions as a result of the storm have been restored. If you do not have power and have not reported your outage, please contact NEC at 1-800-632-9288. No further updates will be posted on the NEC Crisis Center.
Thursday, July 1, 9:54 am
NEC has had 100 storm related outages since 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30 and all but 45 have been restored. For restoration progress by substation, please visit Restoration Progress by Substation for more detailed information.
Wednesday, June 30, 5:00 pm
NEC continues to monitor the track for Hurricane Alex. As of this time, NEC members have not had any storm related outages as a result of the outer bands reaching our area. The storm is expected to make landfall approximately 100 miles south of Brownsville in Mexico. The norther portion of the NEC area is under a tropical storm warning but with tropical storm force winds extending 200 miles out, the norther portion of the NEC area is not expected to see tropical storm conditions. Such conditions may occur in the southern most portion of the delivery area including Baffin Bay area southward. Tornadoes and flash flooding remain the greatest threats for NEC members. Please monitor the local news for tornado and flash flood warnings and watches.
Tuesday, June 29, 8:00 am
NEC continues to monitor the track for Tropical Storm Alex. After remaining almost stationary on Monday, the storm has begun to turn to the northwest. At this time the landfall track takes the landfall of the eye of the storm to near northern Mexico and South Texas border. Tropical storm force winds extend out 140 miles from the center of the storm.The NEC area south of Baffin Bay remains under a hurricane warning and tropical storm warnings extend in the rest of the coastal areas of the NEC delivery area. NEC continues to take the storm seriously and encourages its members to do so as well. At a minimum, we anticipate tropical storm conditions in the NEC delivery area. ALL NEC consumers should anticipate prolonged outages beginning Wednesday and rush their emergency plans to completion. NEC consumers with a household member dependent on life support have received automated phone notifications from NEC encouraging them to evacuate to areas with a reliable power source and to expect prolonged power outages in their current location.
Monday, June 28, 2010, 8:00 am
NEC has activated its Emergency Response Plan in anticipation of Alex's landfall. NEC's generation and transmission partner, South Texas Electric Cooperative, also activated its emergency response plan in anticipation of the storm. Some of the NEC delivery area (south of Baffin Bay) is under a Hurricane Watch. Alex is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane before landfall. If Alex makes directlandfall in the area, Nueces Electric Cooperative consumers will experience electric power outages as a result of tornados, high winds, lightning and flash flooding that could be associated with the storm's landfall forecasted for early morning on July 1st. Where this storm makes landfall will ultimately determine the extent of damage and hazardous conditions, and, of course, the extent of any inconvenience to our members. NEC members could also experience lengthy outages if out bands of Alex produce tropical storm conditions. In either case, NEC anticipates extensive outages and damage to its system that may result in prolonged power outages to some NEC members. The co-op has plans in place to begin damage assessment and restoration efforts as soon as it is safe to do so following the storm's landfall. Both power poles and trees are especially vulnerable to the winds associated with this storm due to the recent rains in South Texas. Our standard approach to restoration is detailed in the Power Restoration Image and calls for repairs to those facilities that will restore service to the largest number of customers first, such as transmission lines, substations, and distribution feeder lines. Nueces Electric Co-op delivers power to 17,144 member services in parts of 8 South Texas counties (Nueces, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Kenedy, Duvall, Live Oak, McMullen & Brooks).
The NEC service area may experience hurricane and/or tropical storm conditions, torrential rains & flooding, and the potential for tornados as a result of the hurricane. NEC members are encouraged to activate their family emergency plans. Please be aware of safety hazards and report dangerous conditions to NEC or your local law enforcement immediately. Consumers in the eight counties served by Nueces Electric Co-op are encouraged to consider electric safety before, during and after the storm. NEC advises life support consumers and senior citizens who are sensitive to heat to make arrangements to evacuate/ move to sites with power to ensure their safety.We encourage NEC members and the public to be aware of safety hazards and report them immediately to NEC or your local law enforcement officials. Especially recognize the following potential dangers:
Generators: If used improperly, a backup generator can make life a lot more dangerous! If you plan to use a portable backup generator for temporary electric power, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to protect you and your family. Also, DO NOT connect the generator to the house wiring unless you have had a qualified electrician hook up the standby electrical system, including the installation of a transfer switch to isolate the generator from the electric utility service. Without the transfer switch, the power from the generator will “backfeed” through the transformer and raise the voltage to 7,200 volts, a level that can easily kill any serviceman trying to restore the power down the line. In addition, when the power is restored, it may cause an electrical fire and/or destroy the generator.
Downed Power Lines: Assume that any downed power line is “live.” If power lines are lying on the ground or dangling near the ground, do not touch or approach the lines. Notify your utility company or local law enforcement authorities as soon as possible that the lines have been damaged, or that the lines are down. Do not attempt to move or repair the power lines. If you can, stay nearby to warn others away from the downed line.
Wiring and Appliances Exposed to Water: If you have appliances or equipment exposed to water, never assume they are safe to use after they have dried. Before you try to use any electrical appliance that has been exposed to water, take it to a qualified service technician. The item may be fine, it may need reconditioning, or it might require replacement.
Consumers in the eight counties served by Nueces Co-op are encouraged to consider the electric safety tips, provided below, during and after the storm. We are advising life support consumers and senior citizens who are sensitive to heat to make arrangements to move to sites with power to ensure their safety. Other important information is provided below for NEC members.
Monday, June 22, 2010, 8:00 am
Today, NEC began monitoring the progress of a tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean Sea.
If used improperly, a backup generator can make life a lot more dangerous! If you plan to use a portable backup generator for temporary electric power, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to protect you and your family. Also, DO NOT connect the generator to the house wiring unless you have had a qualified electrician hook up the standby electrical system, including the installation of a transfer switch to isolate the generator from the electric utility service. Without the transfer switch, the power from the generator will “backfeed” through the transformer and raise the voltage to 7,200 volts, a level that can easily kill any serviceman trying to restore the power down the line. In addition, when the power is restored, it may cause an electrical fire and/or destroy the generator.
Assume that any downed power line is “live.” If power lines are lying on the ground or dangling near the ground, do not touch or approach the lines. Notify your utility company or local law enforcement authorities as soon as possible that the lines have been damaged, or that the lines are down. Do not attempt to move or repair the power lines. If you can, stay nearby to warn others away from the downed line.
If you have appliances or equipment exposed to water, never assume they are safe to use after they have dried. Before you try to use any electrical appliance that has been exposed to water, take it to a qualified service technician. The item may be fine, it may need reconditioning, or it might require replacement.
With a storm of this magnitude, phone lines can get very busy. Rest assured that—if this hurricane affects the area—the co-op has crews working to restore co-op members’ electric service, and all of their phone lines are manned around the clock. Stay tuned to local news media for further updates, especially if you cannot get through to the co-op by telephone by calling 1-800-NEC-WATT. When possible following the storm, NEC will also update its “Crisis Center” on its website. Nueces Electric Co-op appreciates its members’ patience and support during this time.