Every year at this time people in south Louisiana brace themselves for another potentially destructive hurricane season. The 2007 hurricane season begins on June 1 and continues through November 30. Joseph H. “Jodie” Cotten, manager of Pointe Coupee Electric Membership Corporation, said, “Since we cannot stop hurricanes the only thing we can do is work on being better prepared and know what to do in case one hits.”

PCEMC spends a lot of time making preparations for hurricane season. The co-op encourages the public to be aware of the following:

As a storm approaches, PCEMC crews will continue to provide restoration service until weather conditions require them to stop for safety reasons.

Members can expect to experience flickering lights as wind speed increases with the hurricane’s arrival. Sustained outages may begin early during the storm affected areas. Restoration efforts will begin when it is safe for crews to return to the field.

Stay away from fallen power lines. Assume that any line is conducting electricity. During the storm, call PCEMC ONLY to report an emergency, such as downed, sparking power lines.

PCEMC will begin damage assessment immediately following the storm, including, if necessary, seeking help from other cooperatives.

Extensive and prolonged power outages are expected in hardest hit areas. Information about restoration efforts will be provided as soon as it is available. Again, call Pointe Coupee Electric only to report emergencies.

“PCEMC is committed to supply its members with dependable and safe service in all kinds of weather,” said Cotten. “A hurricane is not a pleasant experience. Yet, staying safe and calm can make it an easier one.”

Pointe Coupee Electric Membership Corporation is an electric cooperative serving areas of Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge and Iberville parishes. PCEMC currently has storm preparedness brochures, hurricane tracking charts and how to operate a portable generator guidelines available at their office at 2506 False River Drive in New Roads. Please stop by Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m and 4:30 p.m. to pick up these helpful brochures.

Pointe Coupee Electric is more than just an electric utility company. We are Connecting People…Impacting Lives!