Severe Weather 2023

1. Severe Weather Response
May 2023 Safety Training

2. Hurricane Season 2023
The hurricane season officially begins June 1st and
ends on November 30th.
However, the formation of tropical weather is
possible earlier:
 There has been at least 1 named tropical storm every
year in the last 7 years which formed before the
official hurricane season even started.
 Be prepared early!

3. Hurricane Season 2023
 The 2023 hurricane season is predicted to be a
slightly below-average season.
 Below are the predictions as of April 13th, 2023.
 Updated predictions will be issued at the beginning of
June.
 Major Hurricane – Category 3, 4 or 5
Named Storms Hurricanes Major Hurricanes
Average 14 7 3
2023 Predictions 13 6 2

4. Hurricane Season 2023
 Experts are predicting a 60% chance that an El
Nino will occur this year.
 An El Nino brings stronger shearing winds and
limits the number and the intensity of hurricanes.
 This is why 2023 is predicted to be a slightly
below-average season.
 Remember this is just a prediction. Be prepared
for anything.

5. Hurricane Season 2023
The following names will be used for storms in 2023:
Arlene Harold Ophelia
Bret Idalia Philippe
Cindy Jose Rina
Don Katia Sean
Emily Lee Tammy
Franklin Margot Vince
Gert Nigel Whitney

6. Hurricane Season 2023
The Greek alphabet is no longer used if there are
more than 21 named storms. Instead, a second list of
names will be used if needed:
Adria Heath Orlanda
Braylen Isla Pax
Caridad Jacobus Ronin
Deshawn Kenzie Sophie
Emery Lucio Tayshaun
Foster Makayla Viviana
Gemma Nolan Will

7. Emergency Preparedness
 It is never too early to prepare!
 Prepare before the season begins when you have
more time and not under pressure.
 Have an evacuation plan:
o Know if you live in an evacuation zone
o Know where you will go and how you will get there
o Plan on multiple routes in case of closures
o Account for pets travelling with you

8. Emergency Preparedness
 Assemble supplies before hurricane season
begins:
o Have enough non-perishable food and water for
each person for at least 3-5 days
o Fill prescriptions and have them ready
o Keep gas tank full
o Have some cash on hand
o Radio, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers
o First aid kit

9. Emergency Preparedness
 Get an insurance check-up:
o Call your agent and check that your home
insurance is up-to-date before hurricane season
o Flood insurance is a separate policy and requires a
30-day waiting period to go into effect. Act now if
you are considering flood insurance!
o Keep your insurance policies with you when
evacuating
o Take pictures and/or video of your house and
belongings

10. Emergency Preparedness
 Get your house prepared:
o Before hurricane season starts trim your trees and
ensure you have window coverings
o Right before a storm cover windows, pickup loose
items outside, and secure all doors
 Help your neighbor:
o Help them prepare and check in after the storm
passes
o Remember senior citizens rely on their neighbors
for assistance

11. TECO Policy 100-03
Natural Disasters
The following slides are TECO specific procedures
to minimize the effect of and restore to full
operation in the event of a natural disaster such as
a hurricane, tropical storm, tornado or flood.

12. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
 The Primary goal is to prepare prior to the arrival
of a storm to achieve the greatest safety margin
in protecting lives and property.
 The Operations Department shall maintain an up-
to-date track of any named storm that is or has
the potential to approach the Gulf Coast area.
 Supplies shall be inventoried at the start of and
periodically throughout the hurricane season.
Order any missing items immediately.

13. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
 TECO employees should make advanced
arrangements for the safety of their family and
property prior to an actual storm.
 Key employees will be needed to staff the plant
during a storm. Make plans to ensure your family
is safe.

14. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
The plan consists of five general conditions,
consistent with the National Weather Service
(NWS) terms and declarations:
 Condition 1: Storm enters Gulf of Mexico
 Condition 2: Hurricane Watch is issued by NWS
 Condition 3: Hurricane Warning is issued by NWS
 Condition 4: Storm is in the area
 Condition 5: Storm has moved out of the area

15. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 1: Storm enters Gulf of Mexico
 Effective preparation will increase the safety of
personnel and the plant’s ability to serve TMC.
 Preparations will begin from the direction of
TECO management based on the storm’s data
and probable course.
 Key employees shall be identified, and personnel
schedules evaluated.

16. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 1: Storm enters Gulf of Mexico
 Operations will fill all tanks to capacity, test
standby equipment, and maintain contact with
TMC Emergency Management.
 Maintenance will inventory supplies, remove or
relocate items that may become airborne during
high winds, inspect all flood protection equipment,
and test run the portable pumps.

17. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 2: Hurricane Watch is issued by NWS
 Employees that are chosen to be at the plant
during the storm will be notified.
 These key personnel shall remain in contact with
the plant.
 The Command Center will be readied for use –
television, radio, tracking chart, valve location
maps, telephone lists, vendor supply lists

18. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 2: Hurricane Watch is issued by NWS
 Operations will review priority list of equipment
and order food supplies for key personnel for
seven days.
 Maintenance will prepare for heavy rain and high
winds, secure all flammable liquids and gases,
and deploy flood barriers as directed by TECO
Senior Management.
 Human Resources will secure company records.

19. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 3: Hurricane Warning is issued by NWS
 Preparations will be made for imminent landfall of
the storm.
 Key personnel scheduled to work shall report to
work with all personal items.
 All other employees will be released by their
supervisors.
 Sleeping areas will be designated.
 The command center will be activated.

20. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 3: Hurricane Warning is issued by NWS
 Operations will lock the main access gate open at
Central Plant, contact the Energy Director for
customer’s status report, review the black-start
procedure, realign cooling towers as directed,
and assign an operator to stay at SMP and UTRP.
 Maintenance will complete installation of all flood
barriers, tape or cover glass windows, install
sump pumps, and install plywood on windows as
directed.

21. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 4: Storm is in the area
 Key personnel will monitor equipment and look for
damage as weather permits.
 Continuously patrol for structural damage, serious
leaks, or fire.
 Divert water from the plant.
 Repair essential equipment as needed for
operation.

22. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 5: Storm has moved out of the area
 All employees shall report to their supervisor for work
assignments.
 Return to normal work schedule when possible.
 All departments will review the hurricane procedures
and critique their plan.
 Assess damages and document with photographs.

23. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Condition 5: Storm has moved out of the area
 Operations will keep management informed of
equipment status, report equipment issues to
maintenance for repair, and secure emergency
equipment when necessary.
 Maintenance will search for any safety hazards,
perform necessary maintenance on equipment, and
assist in restart as required.

24. Tornadoes
Tornadoes are violent storms with strong winds
 Tornadoes often develop from supercell
thunderstorms
 Hurricanes typically spawn tornadoes due to
instability in the atmosphere
Tornado Watch – tornado is expected in our area
 Monitor weather for any impact to TECO

25. Tornadoes
Tornado Warning – tornado has been sighted or is
indicated on radar
 Seek shelter inside on the ground floor (the
locker room is the designated area)
 Stay away from windows, doors, and outside
walls (go to an interior area)
 Protect your head
 Lie flat in a low area if you are caught outside

26. Flooding
 Flooding can occur quickly at any time from
intense rainfall over a short period of time.
 Flooding may also be a result of a hurricane or a
tropical storm.
 Longer term flooding problems can occur from
bodies of water, such as bayous like the one
located next to TECO.
 TECO will endeavor to keep water out rather than
using the water removal policy.

27. Flooding
 Flood protection items shall be inventoried by
April 15th each year and re-verified whenever
forecasts expect flood conditions.
 When water in the Harris Gully Box reaches the
7-foot marker, TECO will begin flood protection
procedures.
 Management will call in necessary personnel as
needed.

28. Flooding
 Suspend all unnecessary operations before
flooding.
 Turn off electric circuits to equipment that is in
danger of flooding where possible.
 Continuously patrol during flooding to determine
actions required.
 Cleanup and restoration will be the same as
discussed for hurricanes.

29. Emergency Contact
 All employees shall always ensure their contact
information is current at TECO.
 In the event of an emergency such as severe
weather, employees may be kept informed by:
o receiving emails
o receiving text messages from the TECO emergency
contact system
o listening to a pre-recorded message when activated
at 713-791-6799

30. Severe Weather
You can now click on the blue “NEXT”
button in the bottom right-hand corner
to proceed and receive course credit.