What to Expect When Severe Weather Occurs:
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) employees stand ready to serve our member-owners when severe weather strikes. However, it is still very important that member-owners take the necessary precautions to keep their families safe during a storm. For instance, have a surplus food supply on hand, enough to feed each family member for at least seven days; store prescription medications in a safe place and inside a hurricane disaster kit.
The following table provides an idea of the type of damage typical with each category of storm, according to information provided by Jackson County Emergency Management Services:
Category | WindVelocityRange | Typical Damage |
C1 | 74 to 95 mph | Minimal: No real damage to buildings. Some damage to unanchored mobile homes and poorly constructed signs. |
C2 | 96 to 110 mph | Moderate: Some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. Some toppled trees. Major damage to mobile homes. |
C3 | 111 to 130 mph | Extensive: Some structural damage to small homes and utility buildings. Large trees are toppled. Mobile homes are destroyed. |
C4 | 131 to 155 mph | Extreme: Extensive damage to roofs, windows and doors. Complete roof structure failure on small homes. Some wood frame homes destroyed. |
C5 | 156 mph and up | Catastrophic: Complete roof failure on many homes and industrial buildings. Some complete buildings fail. Evacuation may be required. |
It is also important to keep informed of the most current developments in regards to the storm itself, as well as power restoration efforts once the storm has run its course. The best ways to stay informed are to listen to battery-operated radio or watch a television set. Checking online at the cooperative’s website is also a viable option, if electricity or satellite Internet service is available to you. Relatives from out-of-town or out-of-state could also check the co-op’s website for you. During several of the last major storms that occurred, cooperatives across the country were amazed at the number of hits their websites received during outages and storms. No matter the method you choose, staying up-to-date is very important to the safety of your family.
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