(NAPSI)—The 2022 hurricane season is underway, with the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project Team forecasting an above-average storm season for the Atlantic basin. Emergency preparation experts say now is the time to get ready, especially as CSU places the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along U.S. coastlines at 71 percent.
When a hurricane hits, food, water and other critical supplies can run short and this year the situation could be even worse due to ongoing supply chain issues. What’s more, severe storms will negatively impact an aging electrical grid that is overdue for updating, causing the power to go out for days—if not weeks. In short order, residents may find themselves in dire need for supplies and backup power.
What You Can Do
To help people better prepare for outages, the power outage experts from Generac, a global energy technology company, share the following tips:
•Purchase water and non-perishable, nutritious and protein-rich staples that do not require refrigeration days ahead of an outage threat.
•Charge electronic devices and have a battery-powered emergency radio so that it is possible to check weather conditions during a storm and stay current with emergency information.
•Take photographs of valuable possessions for insurance documentation after a storm.
•Perform regular maintenance services on portable generators, make sure fuel is on hand, and ensure the generator can be operated safely outdoors at least 25 feet away from living areas.
•Ensure proper maintenance occurs on home standby generators, so they will automatically start when the power goes out.
•Keep extra oil on hand. If a generator is running continuously, check the oil level each day.
“The first introduction many people have to backup power is during an emergency,” said Jake Thomas, director of Global Service Operations at Generac. “It’s imperative that homeowners have a power outage plan that includes a backup power device. Recent storms have left households without power for several days. A home standby generator ensures power turns on automatically when needed.”
Every mile of the U.S. Gulf and East Coast is vulnerable to a hurricane. Beyond hurricanes, about 70 percent of power outages in the U.S. are weather-related. The best time to prepare for any power outage is well before it happens, as early planning allows time for backup power dealer consultation, product specification, local permitting and installation.
To help residents and communities prepare, Generac offers readiness resources, including its Hurricane Preparedness Guide, available at https://www.generac.com/hurricane-prep.