Hurricane News
UPDATE - Friday, 2:30 p.m.: We have substantially completed restoration after Tropical Storm Nicole swept through our area Thursday and began causing widespread outages. We expect all remaining members without power - about 930 hit hardest in Alachua and Marion counties and outlying areas - to have their service back by 10 p.m. tonight. The storm caused several individual outages that take longer to restore and some areas have more extensive damage to repair. Crews will work until power is restored to every member.
(9 a.m.) About 5,700 Clay Electric members remain without electricity due to Tropical Storm Nicole as of Friday, Nov. 11, at 9 a.m.
Both cooperative mutual aid and contract crews are assisting Clay Electric’s personnel in the restoration process. Our district offices will remain closed to the public on Friday, Nov. 11 to allow our personnel to focus on restoration efforts.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- There are still some low-hanging or downed power lines in our area at this time. These lines may still be energized, so please avoid going near them and never touch them. For life-threatening situations, please call 911. To report damage (non-life threatening) on our lines, please call 1-800-224-4917 or report it through MyClayElectric.
- If you or a family member depend on power for medical reasons, have somewhere to go that is out of harm’s way, or have a generator handy.
- If you use a generator, know how to operate it safely, and do not hook it up to your home’s wiring system. It could backfeed into our distribution system and kill or injure personnel making repairs.
- The MyClayElectric mobile app and web portal is set up to inform members that Clay Electric is aware of their outage. If members still need to report outages, they may report them through MyClayElectric or call 888-434-9844.
Information and updates will be shared on Facebook and ClayElectric.com throughout the restoration process.
Clay Electric is prepared to respond to Tropical Storm Nicole’s impact on its service territory. The co-op suggests everyone complete their preparations before the storm’s projected arrival on Thursday.
All Clay Electric offices will be closed to the public on Thursday, Nov. 10 and Friday, Nov. 11 while all personnel focus on storm restoration efforts.
The extent of Nicole’s impact on Clay’s 14-county service territory remains to be seen; however, some co-op members will experience outages. The co-op has secured outside crews for restoration work and vegetation management.
Restoration efforts will begin as soon as it is safe to do so, and crews will make every effort to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
Members will be able to report outages and view their outage status in the MyClayElectric mobile app or web portal.
Clay Electric Chief Public Relations Officer Derick Thomas said the co-op’s members should review their storm plans and ensure they have an adequate supply of drinking water, non-perishable foods, canned goods and necessary medications.
To help members prepare for a storm, the co-op offers a list of preparations in an annual hurricane guide. It is available here, as are generator safety instructions, a supply list and answers to frequently asked questions.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- If you or a family member depend on power for medical reasons, have somewhere to go that is out of harm’s way, or have a generator handy.
- If you use a generator, know how to operate it safely, and do not hook it up to your home’s wiring system. It could backfeed into our distribution system and kill or injure personnel making repairs.
- When venturing outdoors after the storm, be careful of low-hanging or downed power lines, which may still be energized.
Information and updates about Clay Electric’s preparation and response to Tropical Storm Nicole will be shared on Facebook and ClayElectric.com.
Despite dodging a direct hit from Hurricane Ian, wind and rain from the storm caused widespread power outages in the co-op’s 14-county service territory on Sept. 28 and 29.
At the height of the storm, about 30,000 accounts were without power. More than 70 percent of members had their lights back on in 24 hours and restoration was substantially complete on Sept. 30. About 1,000 accounts hit hardest in Lake, Marion, Putnam and Volusia Counties had their service back by Oct. 1. The storm caused several individual outages that took longer to restore and some areas had more extensive damage to repair.
Initially, forecasts were dire for North Central Florida and Ian was going to crawl across the area.
The co-op began monitoring the storm and gathering materials Sept. 23.
“We always prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” said Clay Electric General Manager/CEO Ricky Davis. “I’m proud of our crews’ swift power restoration efforts, and our hearts and prayers are with everyone who was not as fortunate as we were with the storm.”
Outside crews from West Florida Electric Cooperative, Pike Electric and numerous contract crews assisted co-op personnel in the restoration process.
UPDATE - Friday, 4 p.m.: We have substantially completed restoration after Ian swept through our area this week and began causing widespread outages in our 14-county service territory on Wednesday. We expect all remaining members without power - about 1,000 hit hardest in Lake, Marion, Putnam and Volusia Counties - to have their service back by Saturday evening. The storm caused several individual outages that take longer to restore and some areas have more extensive damage to repair. Crews will work until power is restored to every member.
(8:45 a.m.) About 6,000 Clay Electric members remain without electricity due to Hurricane Ian as of Friday morning, Sept. 30. We have restored service to about 24,000 accounts (80 percent) since Wednesday. At the height of the storm, 30,000 accounts were without power.
Outside crews from West Florida Electric Cooperative and numerous contract crews are assisting Clay Electric’s personnel in the restoration process. Our district offices will remain closed to the public on Friday, Sept. 30 to allow our personnel to focus on restoration efforts.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- There are still some low-hanging or downed power lines in our area at this time. These lines may still be energized, so please avoid going near them and never touch them.
- If you or a family member depend on power for medical reasons, have somewhere to go that is out of harm’s way, or have a generator handy.
- If you use a generator, know how to operate it safely, and do not hook it up to your home’s wiring system. It could backfeed into our distribution system and kill or injure personnel making repairs.
- The MyClayElectric mobile app and web portal is set up to inform members that Clay Electric is aware of their outage. If members still need to report outages, they may report them through MyClayElectric or call 888-434-9844.
Information and updates will be shared on Facebook and ClayElectric.com throughout the restoration process.
All offices will be closed Thursday, September 29-Friday, September 30 as personnel focus on restoration efforts from Hurricane Ian.
While Ian's path indicates much of the storm will stay to the east of our service territory, it is still forecast that most – if not all – of our area will experience tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain Thursday and Friday. Power outages are likely due to the forecast.
Due to the magnitude of the storm, members should prepare to go without power for an extended period of time. Clay Electric personnel, along with help from other co-ops and outside crews, will begin restoration efforts as soon as it is safe to do so, and will make every effort to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
Clay Electric is following Hurricane Ian’s movements and preparing for its possible arrival later this week in North Florida. The co-op suggests everyone keep an eye on the projected path and make their own plans.
Ian could pose a serious threat to Clay Electric’s 14-county service area. Since Friday, the co-op has been reviewing inventory of materials and bringing them up to necessary levels if widespread power outages occur. Clay Electric’s Fleet Service Department has also ensured the co-op’s gas supply is at adequate levels and all vehicles are fueled.
If Ian strikes Clay Electric’s service area, restoration efforts will begin as soon as it is safe to do so, and crews will make every effort to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
Clay Electric General Manager/CEO Ricky Davis has met with Chief Operations Officer Bryan Gunter to begin the process of bringing in outside crews to help Clay restore service if Ian causes extensive outages in the co-op’s service area.
“These steps are to ensure we remain ahead of the curve because this storm’s projected path will affect multiple utilities, causing outside resources to be limited,” Davis said. “With potential statewide damages, and knowing other states may be in Hurricane Ian’s path, we want to be proactive in securing the necessary resources to restore power to our members as efficiently and safely as possible.”
Clay Electric Chief Public Relations Officer Derick Thomas said the co-op’s members should review their storm plans and ensure they have an adequate supply of drinking water, non-perishable foods, canned goods and necessary medications.
“Hurricanes are a major inconvenience for everyone,” Thomas said. “Our families will be facing this difficult situation with you. We will make it through this together.”
To help members prepare for a storm, the co-op offers a list of preparations in an annual hurricane guide. It is available here, as are generator safety instructions, a supply list and answers to frequently asked questions.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- If you or a family member depend on power for medical reasons, have somewhere to go that is out of harm’s way, or have a generator handy.
- If you use a generator, know how to operate it safely, and do not hook it up to your home’s wiring system. It could backfeed into our distribution system and kill or injure personnel making repairs.
- When venturing outdoors after the storm, be careful of low-hanging or downed power lines, which may still be energized.
Information and updates about Clay Electric’s preparation and response to Hurricane Ian will be shared on Facebook and ClayElectric.com.
A forecast team from Colorado State University has predicted an above-average level of activity in the Atlantic basin this hurricane season.
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project says there will be an average of 19 named storms, with nine of those storms developing into hurricanes in the Atlantic this season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
The team predicts:
- A 71 percent chance at least one major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. coastline in 2022 (the long-term average probability is 52 percent).
- A 47 percent chance a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula (the long-term average is 31 percent).
- A 46 percent chance a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville (the long-term average is 30 percent).
The team predicts 2022 hurricane activity will be about 135 percent of the average season. The 2021 hurricane season had eight landfalling continental U.S. hurricanes, including Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm that devastated the central Gulf Coast on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Florida residents are reminded to take the proper precautions and to remember that it takes only one landfall event nearby to make this an active season.
Clay Electric Cooperative offers lots of information to help its members prepare for the possibility a hurricane may strike North Florida, including a Hurricane Preparedness Guide. Copies of the 2022 Preparedness Guide will be available online and at the cooperative’s six district offices in June.
Hurricane Information
2022 Hurricane Preparedness Guide (PDF)
Info Sheet on Safe Operation of Portable Generators (PDF)
GenerLink Emergency Transfer Switch
Hurricane Supply Checklist
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Find Shelters in Your Area
Clay Electric Outage Information
Clay Electric Power Restoration Process
Release Form to Reconnect Power (PDF)
Hurricane Restoration FAQs
Restoration time frames depend upon damage to Clay Electric's facilities and the numbers of members served by those facilities. There is a systematic approach to restoring power. Some members may have power restored within two or three days. Other members may take longer because of their remote locations and the amount of work required to repair the lines.
The only accounts receiving preferential treatment are those which are described as "Essential Service" accounts. They are related to community safety, health and welfare. They include hospitals, police, fire, communications and water, sanitary and transportation providers. These accounts are often referred to as priority accounts.
Clay Electric employees begin restoration work just as soon as it is safe to do so. If there are sustained winds of 35 mph or above, it's too dangerous for restoration efforts. As soon as the storm has passed and winds have died down, damage assessments will be made followed by crews working to restore power. Field workers are on the job as much as possible during the daylight hours because daylight hours are the most productive and safest for our field crews. Field workers are normally on the job 16 hours, then rest for eight hours. The bulk of our restoration workforce will work during the daylight hours to be the most productive, but there will be personnel working around the clock to restore power and respond to emergencies.
Restoring power after widespread outages is a big job that involves more than simply throwing a switch or removing a tree from a line. It involves a huge coordination effort with hundreds of linemen working in very dangerous situations. There is nothing routine when restoring power after a storm.
Although Clay Electric is committed to restoring the electric power to all co-op accounts as safely and quickly as possible, our initial goal is to safely restore power to the greatest number of members in the shortest time possible. In order to accomplish that, the process begins with a damage assessment of the co-op's lines and facilities by employees who have been specifically trained to accomplish those tasks. The assessment allows the co-op to direct its resources (both labor and materials) to the areas where they are needed the most.
Repairs are first made to the co-op's large transmission lines, which carry high-voltage electricity to our distribution system from generation stations like Seminole Electric Cooperative's coal-fired plant near Palatka. Lines such as these must be repaired first, along with any damage to transmission substations. Transmission lines serve many thousands of accounts.
Next in the process of restoration of power are the distribution substations and their respective main feeder lines. The co-op has more than 50 substations on its system, and there are about 14,000 miles of distribution lines which are routed from the substations. Main feeder lines are those you normally see alongside a highway.
The number of members served by Clay Electric's distribution substations range from a few hundred to nearly 9,000 members, so you can see the importance of getting the substations back in service. A main feeder line on Clay Electric's system serves as many as 2,300 members.
Individual tap lines are repaired next in the restoration process. Tap lines typically serve the fewest number of members.
You only pay for electricity you use. If your power is out, you won’t be charged.
Please call 911 to report these incidents.
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot full freezer for 2 days. Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased. For more information, visit the USDA’s page on food safety in emergencies.
There are several reasons this might happen. A single street can be served by two different main power lines and/or substations, which explains why your neighbors may have power restored before you do. You and your neighbor might not share the same power line or circuit. The power line feeding electricity to your home may be damaged, or your individual connection might require repair. Your home also might need internal electrical repairs.
If you or someone you know requires electricity to power medical equipment, please call county emergency services or evacuate to a shelter before the storm. We cannot guarantee uninterrupted service or preferential consideration during power restoration.
The crew might need to make a repair farther down the line to restore power to your home, or it might need to get some additional or specialty supplies to fix it.
