It is important to be prepared for bad weather and storms, including hurricanes and the challenges they bring. Hurricane Season runs June 1 through November 30 in Texas. During this time, there is an increased chance of severe weather in MidSouth’s service territory.
What To Do Before a Storm
Stay updated with the latest weather information
Get information from trusted officials in your area and listen to their emergency instructions. Bookmark important websites or social media pages for quick reference.
Restock your emergency preparedness kit
Include enough food and water for each of your family members for at least 3 days. Don’t forget to make preparations for your pets. Other items in your kit should include flashlights, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies. Learn more about what should be in your kit here.
Prepare your home for the storm
In the days and hours before the storm makes landfall, anchor or bring indoors items that could become projectiles during strong winds. This is the time to trim or remove trees that could fall on buildings or vehicles during the storm.
Charge your cell phone
Take the time to charge your cell phones before the storm so you can stay in contact with family and receive updates on the storm’s progress. Consider purchasing a portable charger to help extend the longevity of your phone’s battery.
Inform family members of your plan during the storm
If you plan on evacuating, going to a local storm shelter, or staying home during the storm, tell your family where you’ll be. If plans change and it’s possible, give them an update.
What To Do During a Storm
Listen to orders given by local officials
If you are in an area under a voluntary or mandatory evacuation, make plans to move to a safer location. Officials will also let you know when it is safe to return home.
Shelter from high winds
Go to a Federal emergency management agency safe room; international code council 500 storm shelter; or a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor not subject to flooding to shelter during strong winds.
If you experience flooding
If you find yourself trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Avoid climbing into a closed attic; you may become trapped by rising floodwaters.
What To Do After a Storm
Listen to authorities for information and special instructions
Watch or listen to the news or visit the pages you bookmarked prior to the storm for more information about storm recovery efforts.
Stay away from damaged or wet electrical equipment
Avoid going near electrical equipment that is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
Avoid wading in floodwaters
Floodwaters can contain dangerous debris. Downed or underground power lines can also electrically charge the water, making it extremely dangerous.
Stay at home if it is safe to do so
If you can, avoid leaving your home to survey damage in your neighborhood or surrounding areas. Debris, receding floodwaters, downed trees and power lines may be obstructing the roadways and keep you from reaching your destination safely.
Update family on your wellbeing
Once the storm has passed, reach out to family members and let them know how you and your family weathered the storm.
Generator Safety
Never backfeed a portable generator
Plugging generator directly into your home’s electrical system can have dangerous consequences. Referred to as backfeeding, this practice reverses the standard direction of electrical flow, sending deadly voltage back onto the electric grid. The electrical linemen working to restore your power could be seriously injured and even killed. Portable generators are designed to have 2-3 appliances plugged directly into them at a time. Always refer to the user’s manual of your generator for specific instructions regarding safety and electrical load.
Install a transfer switch
Whole home generators are convenient when the power unexpectedly goes off. However, the electrical current they send into your home and potentially back onto the power grid can be dangerous for linemen and your family. A transfer switch is necessary to not only prevent backfeeding but to prevent an overload to that expensive generator once power is restored. In addition, the switch ensures only circuits you have designated receive power, preventing fire hazards due to overloading. Contact a licensed electrician to inspect and/or install your transfer switch.
Keep portable generators in a well-ventilated space outdoors
Never run a generator in your home, garage or any other enclosed structure to avoid fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators should be placed at least 20′ from buildings with plenty of room for airflow. If you are concerned about protecting the generator, look into a running cover for your specific model. Such covers allow for the proper ventilation while providing protection from precipitation. Many generators today are sold with running covers intact. Refer to your owner’s manual for me details.
For additional residential generator safety information, download our Residential Generators flyer.
Outage Restoration After a Hurricane or Severe Storm
Once a storm has passed through and it is safe for linemen to be outdoors, they will begin assessing damage and restoring your power. Your MidSouth linemen will start at the substations and make their way into the service territory, operating to bring power back to as many members as possible.
Yes, ensuring your specific meter is logged into the system is crucial. However, telephone wait times may be long following a storm. The fastest and most efficient way to report is by texting the word OUTAGE to the number 352-667. Reporting may also be done by using the MSEC App from your smart device or calling (936) 825-5100.
*Please note, it is crucial your account information is up to date before texting or utilizing the automated phone system. Log in to your account online to check phone numbers and email addresses to ensure accurate communication.
The online outage viewer shows the location of current service interruptions and changes in real-time as service is restored. During extreme weather and outage situations, follow MidSouth EC on Facebook and Instagram, check your email regularly for membership updates and visit our website for any press releases.
There may be several reasons for this scenario. Neighboring homes may be connected through a different feeder, there may be additional line damage between your home and the transformer, or your neighbor may have a back-up generator. Always report your specific outage to ensure prompt restoration.
Helpful Links
National Hurricane Center
FEMA
American Red Cross
Hurricane Preparedness Kit
Power Blinks vs. Surges
More Information
Report an Outage
To report an outage in your area, please call (936) 825-5100 or text OUTAGE to 352-667.