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Prepare for Hurricanes & Summer Storms

Prepare for Hurricanes and Summer Storms

For many, warm weather means enjoying the outdoors with picnics, swimming and gardening. But summer isn’t always a day at the beach. As temperatures increase, so do the chances for thunderstorms and hurricanes.

Although hurricane season began in May, late summer and early fall are when we typically experience the most hurricanes as ocean waters warm. Remember, hurricanes are not just a coastal problem, so it’s important to know the risks where you live since rain, wind and flooding could happen far from the coast. No matter where you live, thunderstorms can also be a threat. Lightning injures 243 people and kills about 20 people on average each year in the United States (see Weather.gov for more information). Heavy rain from thunderstorms can lead to flash floods and power outages. In addition, tornadoes can form during some thunderstorms.

Here are some tips to prepare for storms this summer:

For all storms

  • Download the free FEMA app to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service and to stay informed about watches and warnings. You can also sign up to receive Emergency Alerts in your area.
  • Make an emergency plan. Be sure to have extra water and nonperishable foods at home. Get started by having enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectants and pet supplies. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. If there’s a chance you will need to evacuate, create a smaller “go bag” to take with you or keep in the trunk of your vehicle. Remember that after certain severe weather events like a hurricane or tornado, you may not be able to buy some essential items for days or even weeks.

Hurricanes

  • Know your risk for hurricanes and take action to prepare by visiting FEMA’s Protective Actions Research website. Hurricanes are not just a coastal concern. Rain, wind, flooding and even tornadoes can strike far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall.
  • If you live in an area that’s affected by hurricanes, practice your evacuation route with household members and pets, and identify where you will stay. Local emergency managers can provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community.
  • Make sure to clear storm drains and gutters and bring outside furniture indoors. Consider installing hurricane shutters if you need added protection against the storm.

Thunderstorms

  • Be prepared for thunderstorm, lightning and hail by planning to move inside a sturdy building or a metal vehicle with a roof. Remember the saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Moving under a tree to stay dry is especially dangerous because lightning often strikes the tallest object in its path.
  • There is no safe space outdoors. If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
    • Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.
    • Never lie flat on the ground.
    • Never shelter under an isolated tree.
    • Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
    • Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water.
    • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.).
  • Unplug appliances and plan to avoid running water or using landline phones. Electricity from lightning can travel through plumbing and phone lines. Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.
  • Stay away from windows and doors and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

Tornadoes

  • Be prepared for a tornado by understanding that they can happen anytime, anywhere so it’s important to know where to stay safe. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, immediately find a place such as a basement or storm cellar where you can safely shelter in place. If you can’t find a basement or storm cellar, locate a small, interior room on the lowest level where you are, and shelter there until it is safe to come out of your shelter location.
  • If you are outside and can’t get to a sturdy building, do not shelter under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck. Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.

FREE Stormwater Solutions Webinars for Residents

Penn State Extension is hosting a series of FREE Stormwater Solutions Webinars for residents.

RAIN GARDENS – A STORMWATER SLAM DUNK – November 21, 2023 (12 PM – 1 PM) – Click HERE to learn more.

BACKYARD MEADOWS – November 28, 2023 (12 PM – 1 PM) – Click HERE to learn more.

STORMWATER-FRIENDLY LAWN CARE STRATEGIES – November 30, 2023 (12 PM – 1 PM) – Click HERE to learn more.

Bucks County Conservation District offering FREE Stormwater Workshop

On Saturday, October 28th at 10 AM, the Bucks County Conservation District will host a stormwater management workshop for Lower Bucks County residents.   This workshop is at the Central Park Pavillion, Byberry Road, in Bensalem Township.

With rainfall on the rise, the region has witnessed an uptick in stormwater runoff.  the runoff has led to increased pollution and flooding concerns.  This workshop intends to address these challenges by offering participants insights on various tools and techniques to enhance water quality and diminish the amount of water runoff from their homes and workplaces.  In addition, attendees will have the chance to participate in raffles and walk away with giveaways.

PECO Preparing for Heavy Rain & Strong Winds Today

PECO is closely monitoring current weather forecasts and preparing for heavy rain and strong winds today and into tonight. We are currently preparing our crews and employees to respond to any outages that may occur due to this storm.

It is also important for you to take steps to prepare and know how to stay connected with us before any possible weather or outages.

Stay in touch.

If your lights go out, we offer several ways for your to report your outage. Save these links now so they are quickly and easily accessible if you need them.

  • Download our PECO mobile app to quickly report an outage from a mobile device. The app will also provide notifications as the outage status is updated.
  • Utilize our two-way texting program for reporting an outage and receiving updates. By texting “ADDOUTAGE” to MYPECO (697326), customers can opt in to receiving text message updates, report outages and check the status of their outage through text. To use this service a customer’s mobile number must be registered with their account.
  • Report an outage online, including on a smart phone or tablet, by providing the account or phone number.
  • Use our interactive outage map to report an outage and for the most up-to-date outage information.
  • Call us directly at 1-800-841-4141 to report an outage or natural gas emergency.
    • If you smell natural gas or see downed power lines, leave the area immediately and call 1-800-841-4141. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Stay Safe.

  • Always stay away from damaged electrical equipment, especially downed power lines and tree limbs that may come into contact with power lines.
  • Don’t connect your portable generator directly to your home’s wiring. Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation.

PECO & Arbor Day Energy-Saving Trees

PECO is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to provide customers with trees to plant strategically around their homes for environmental impact and energy savings. This year marks PECO’s 10th anniversary as an Energy-Saving Trees partner. PECO’s program has provided almost 10,000 free trees to customers. By planting trees around your home, you can add to your property value, reduce your carbon footprint, improve air quality and more effectively catch storm water runoff.  When fully grown, these trees can also help reduce the amount of energy your home uses.  Customers can reserve their trees now until the last week of April – act fast, as the trees go quickly! Trees can be picked up in each county on April 28th. Find more details and reserve your tree here: www.arborday.org/peco.

  •  The online portal allows customers to view their home and choose the correct tree species to maximize energy savings and environmental impact.
  • This year’s program will allow customers to pick up their trees in-person at different community sites. For a limited time, customers can also receive a 1 to 3-foot-tall seedling in a container delivered to their homes.
  • Only PECO customers may participate in the program.

Homeowners Guide to Spotted Lanternfly Management

Several years ago, Spotted Lanternflies were discovered in southern Berks County, Pennsylvania, not far north of Philadelphia. They probably arrived as an egg mass, stuck to a pallet or similar packing material and were received by an unsuspecting recipient, who did not notice them.  Since then they have been breeding and spreading. Spotted lanternflies are known to “host” (feed) on many different hard wood trees that we have in our landscape. That said, they tend to have preferred choices that they feed on, such as Ailanthus, walnuts or grape vines. This means that they will choose certain species first if possible, but settle for what is available. Get the facts and help stop the spread of spotted lanternflies… Click HERE for the Homeowners Guide to Spotted Lanternfly Management from Penn State Extension.