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Utilities stress preparation at official start of hurricane season

The hurricane season does not offically begin until tomorrow, June 1st. However there have been two storms named already in 2012.   Florida's 89.1, WUFT-FM's Blake Alderman reports area utilities encourage the public to be prepared now.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPHurricanePrepBlakeAlderman.mp3

Alachua County received some heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Beryl but nothing more. Many families will be starting their preparations for future storms. Gainesville Regional Utilitiesspokeswoman Katie Weitekamp says they are fully prepared for any storm and have already checked for potential problems prior to the hurricane season.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Weitekam1May312012.mp3

Weitekamp adds customers should still be prepared for possible power outages during the months of June through the end of November.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Weitekamp2May312012.mp3

Progress Energyspokesman Rob Sumner says they are also prepared for storms during the hurricane season.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Sumner1May312012.mp3

Sumner adds Progress Energy has spent a great deal of money to make sure they are prepared for storms to hit.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Sumner2May312012.mp3

Progress Energy encourages the public to stay ahead of storms by creating an emergency kit, keeping a copy of insurance policies on hand, having an evacuation plan set ahead of time, and checking outside of homes for trees or shrubs that need to be trimmed or appear weak.

 

Blake is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.