By Lesley Keays
Herald Correspondent
As Sanford and surrounding areas count two months into their 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, I asked Florida Power and Light (FPL) spokesperson Kamrel Eppinger to share with readers timely and useful storm preparedness information.
“We encourage our customers to plan for storm season,” states Kamrel Eppinger, FPL Spokesperson. “People that rely on medical equipment requiring electricity need to make sure that a back-up system is in place, ahead of time, in the event they lose power.”
Eppinger urges readers to ensure batteries, flashlights, and radios (both hand-powered and battery-operated models) are tested for effectiveness prior to inclement weather. During storms, he encourages readers to remain up-to-date on the latest weather conditions and power developments.
Eppinger recommends that all household devices like cell phones, iPads, etc be fully charged in advance of emergent weather. Solar-powered items may assist as alternatives to electricity, he offers.
He suggests that readers who own generators be well-versed in operating them safely. “Generator owners must first read the Owner’s Manual. Secondly, they must ensure that the appliance is outside and away from home and garage. The generator is to be operated away from all doors,” advises Eppinger.
“In the event of a storm evacuation, it is ideal to plan— and be able to carry out— a safe evacuation for your family and pets,” suggests the FPL Spokesperson.
As a power company, how does FPL help its service areas locally?
“Although hurricane season is known annually as starting June 1st and ending November 30th, FPL prepares year-round for storm season in the following ways,”declares Eppinger:
- Hardened overhead of the infrastructure of power lines. We continue to harden both overhead (above-ground) and underground main distribution power lines, called “feeders.” Shoring up feeders helps power companies withstand extreme winds in emergent storms.
- Throughout our local service area, including our Sanford grid, all structures that support main power lines are hardened with reinforced wood, steel, concrete, etc.
- Additionally, underground power inspection and reinforcement is conducted throughout the year to help restore power speedily in the event of an outage.
- FPL’s year-round regular maintenance of vegetation reduces overgrowth that can pose a challenge, especially in inclement weather.
“It takes far less time for our crews to restring power lines on a strengthened power pole than it does to install an entirely new one,” notes Eppinger.
FPL utilizes cutting-edge smart grid technology on both overhead and underground lines. “When it comes to smart grid technology, throughout our state, we have installed 220,000 intelligent devices on our grid,” notes Eppinger. Such devices are placed on power lines and are linked to residences and businesses alike.
Smart grid technology makes possible FPL’s Diagnostic Centers, so that the company is available to help its customers should power be lost. “Our current technology not only provides early detection of power issues, but it restores power faster than ever and may even prevent some outages from occurring. It avoids FPL having to send a repair truck to your neighborhood.”
“By the close of 2025, we will have inspected 1900 power lines in the Sanford service area,” the FPL Spokesperson declares. “Simultaneously for the year, we expect to have trimmed vegetation over 209 miles of power lines. This addresses one of the our chief hurdles in power outages. We strive continuously for enhanced service and efficiency.”
To contact FPL, access www.fpl.com.
