Storm Ready: National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, which is a timely annual reminder to evaluate our emergency plans and take proactive steps to safeguard our households. For South Carolinians, this safety checkpoint arrives during the historical peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. When severe weather threatens our coast and communities, preparedness isn’t just a personal checklist; it is a shared team effort between you and your utility.

At Santee Cooper, our crews work around the clock, 365 days a year, to strengthen our grid and prepare for storms. However, safety begins at home.

Here is how you can proactively build resilience and protect your family before the next storm arrives.

Make a Plan

Before a storm ever threatens our shores, sit down with your household to establish a clear, documented plan of action. Having a strategy in place reduces anxiety and ensures everyone knows how to react when seconds count. Be sure to cover these essential planning bases:

• Create a Shared Household Plan: Discuss what you will do during a storm, where you will meet if separated, and ensure everyone in your household knows the plan from start to finish.
• Know Your Evacuation Route: Identify your official local evacuation zones. Keep your vehicles serviced and fueled up, and map out your travel plans and accommodations well away from the evacuation area in case you are ordered to leave.
• Coordinate with Schools and Daycares: Make sure you know and document the emergency, sheltering, and dismissal plans for your children’s school or daycare facilities.
• Plan for Your Pets: Remember that most public emergency shelters do not allow pets. Pet owners should formulate a clear plan to care for their animals, which may include identifying pet-friendly hotels or arranging boarding outside the hazard zone in advance.
• Secure Watercraft and Marine Safety: If you are on or near the water, prepare your boat ahead of time and review local marine safety guidelines.

Build an Emergency Supply Kit

When powerful storms disrupt everyday services, having a fully stocked emergency kit is your first line of defense. Take time this month to inspect your existing supplies, check expiration dates on food and medications, and replace depleted items. Your emergency kit should include:

• Core Essentials: Flashlights, a battery-powered weather radio and plenty of fresh batteries.
• Power Backups: Fully charged portable power banks for mobile devices.
• Food and Medication: At least a three-day supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day) and shelf-stable, non-perishable food. Don’t forget a manual can opener, essential medications and first-aid basics.
• Document Protection: Place physical copies of identification, insurance policies, financial records and medical files in a heavy-duty, waterproof container.
• Pet Supplies: Remember to account for your four-legged family members with extra pet food, water and travel crates, as many emergency shelters have specific pet policies.

Stay Informed

Communications can change rapidly during severe weather. Staying informed helps you make safe, timely decisions. Santee Cooper makes it easy to stay connected through several channels:

• Enroll in MEL (My Energy Link): Register for MEL online or through our mobile app to ensure your contact information is current and to sign up for outage text alerts.
• Monitor the Storm Center: Our interactive, mobile-friendly online Storm Center is available 24/7, allowing you to quickly report power interruptions, track active outages, and view estimated restoration times.
• Follow Official Updates: Save local emergency management contacts and follow Santee Cooper on social media  for real-time grid updates and safety bulletins.

Practice Generator and Electrical Safety

If your household relies on a backup generator during an outage, correct operation is critical to keeping your family and our line crews safe:

• Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Always operate generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas. Never run them inside a garage, basement, crawl space or near open doors, windows and vents.
• Avoid Backfeeding: Never plug a portable generator directly into a standard home outlet. This can send high-voltage electricity back into power lines, creating a deadly hazard for utility crews working to restore power. Use a professionally installed transfer switch or plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords. Watch this video for more generator safety tips.

Our Pledge: Standing Ready for You

While we ask you to prepare at home, please rest assured that Santee Cooper is constantly preparing behind the scenes. We continuously inspect and upgrade our infrastructure, manage roadside vegetation and implement advanced smart-grid technologies that let us detect and resolve localized outages faster than ever.

Storms are a natural part of living in our beautiful state, but proactive planning brings peace of mind. This September, protect what matters most by taking a few moments to review your family’s plan.

For comprehensive guides, printable checklists, and seasonal safety tips, visit our website.