The summer months can make conditions right for dangerous storms like hurricanes and tornadoes. These weather events can cause serious damage to our electrical system, but Horry Electric crews are ready and standing by to respond should power outages occur in our area.
“When major storms knock out power, our line crews take all necessary precautions before they get to work on any downed lines, broken poles, and other repairs,” says Burroughs Nobles, manager of operations. “Members can also practice safety during major storms and outages.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends the items below as a starting point for storm and disaster preparedness. Visit horryelectric.com or ready.gov for additional resources.
- Stock your pantry with a three-day supply of non-perishable food, such as canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water and other essentials.
- Confirm that you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies.
- Ensure your first aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages and other medical essentials, and make sure your prescriptions are current.
- Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, manual can opener and a portable, battery-powered radio or TV.
- Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location.
In the event of a prolonged outage, turn off major appliances, TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. This will help prevent damage from a power surge and overloading circuits during power restoration. Leave one light on so you will know when power is restored. If you plan to use a small generator, make sure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you will need, and always review the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation.
Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for storm and emergency information. Also, check Horry Electric’s website and social media channels for power restoration updates.
After the storm, avoid downed power lines and walking through flooded areas where power lines could be submerged. Allow ample room for utility crews to safely perform their jobs, including on your property.
Planning for severe storms or other emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety caused by the weather event and lessen the impact of the storm’s effects. Sign up for NOAA emergency alerts and warnings.
Horry Electric recommends you prepare today because there is power in planning.
Sign up for MyOutage
Horry Electric’s outage text alert program – MyOutage- provides a convenient way to stay connected during a power outage.
All Horry Electric members have been opted in to this service, as long as a cell phone number was listed on the account.
With this service, members can text 1-844-369-2767 to report a power outage or request status updates. We’ll also notify members when power has been restored at their service locations.
You can find a list of Frequently Asked Questions on our website. Click here for more information. If you’d like to sign up, call and speak to a member service representative about adding your cell phone number to your account(s).