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During a disaster, services could be impacted, including electric, water and sewer. When preparing, consider that you could be without these important utilities for an extended period.

Photo of cars passing variable message board that reads "Hurricane relief entrance"

Electric outages

For City of Tallahassee customers, you can report electric outages via the City’s DigiTally App, Talgov.com/Outage, or by calling (850) 891-4YOU (4968). During major events, the City will send information directly to utility customers. Keep your contact details current by visiting Talgov.com/Update or by calling (850) 891-4968.

For Talquin Electric Members, you can report an electric outage via Talquin’s mobile app for either Apple or Android phones, by texting #OUTAGE to 85700, or by calling 1-866-899-4832 (Automated System) or 1-888-802-1832 (Live Operator). You can also receive notifications via the mobile app or sign up for text alerts at TalquinElectric.com.

For Duke Energy customers, call 1-800-228-8485. Call wait times will be longer during major events.

Food Safety

TWO DAYS: The approximate time frozen items can be stored safely if you keep the freezer door shut.

FOUR HOURS: If your refrigerator’s power is out for longer than this time, move perishable foods into an ice-filled cooler.

Generators

If you are considering purchasing a permanently installed standby electric generator fueled by natural gas or propane gas, the City of Tallahassee offers a low-interest loan program for qualified homeowners. To be eligible, the loan applicant must be a City of Tallahassee Electric customer, and a transfer switch, a permit and a passed Growth Management inspection are required. Loan approval is required prior to installation. Get details by calling 850-891-4968.

A generator can keep your appliances going after a disaster, but it comes with several dangers:

CARBON MONOXIDE: Use generators outdoors and away from windows and doors to avoid exposure to this deadly, colorless, odorless gas. Never operate a generator indoors.
FIRE: Make sure the generator is cool when refilling the fuel tank and store flammable fuel away from fuel-burning appliances.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK: An electrical shock from your generator can kill you.

Keep the generator in a dry place.

Plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy-duty, three-pronged extension cord.

Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet.

Water impacts

If the drinking water supply is compromised by a disaster, a boil water notice will be issued, which means there's a possibility of contamination.

BOIL: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil for 1 minute to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

BLEACH: Add 1/8 tsp. of unscented bleach per gallon of water and let stand for 30 minutes; bleach used should contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. This is less effective but will work if there's no way to boil water.

Sewer outage

If a sewer outage is announced, DO NOT flush your toilet. Powered sewer lift stations may be down, which could cause a sewage back-up in your home.

Emergency toilets

Use a chemical toilet or create an emergency toilet by one of the following methods:

5-GAL BUCKET: Line with heavy-duty trash bag and use household bleach as disinfectant. Make sure it has a tight lid.

TOILET BOWL: Turn off your outside water supply first and flush once to empty before lining with a trash bag. Do not use kitty litter — it cannot be flushed after the sewer system is running.

Safe driving

After a storm, roads may be littered with debris and many routes may be flooded. Avoid unnecessary travel and, if you must venture out, always obey Road Closed signs.

Never drive through standing water. Treat any intersection with non-working traffic signals as an "all way" stop. Be prepared to stop at every intersection.

Price gouging

In a declared state of emergency, it is illegal to sell necessary goods or services at increased prices. If you believe a business or individual is price gouging, call the Attorney General's Office at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).

Hire Licensed Businesses

If repairs to your home or property are needed, hire reputable and licensed people and avoid any contractor or appraiser who says they can adjust your insurance claim. You can verify a contractor's license and check to see if there are any complaints against them by calling the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-1395.

Who to call

9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies or (850) 606-5800 for non-emergency public safety assistance.
Citizen Information Line for the latest emergency updates, (850) 606-3700, or use 7-1-1 Florida Relay.
Contact 2-1-1 Big Bend for 24-hour social services assistance by dialing 2-1-1 or (850) 617-6333.
For City of Tallahassee Utility information, call (850) 891-4968.
For Talquin Electric, call 1-888-802-1832.
For Duke Energy, call 1-800-228-8485.

Preparing debris for curbside pickup

Debris removal is integral during the response and recovery phase of a disaster. Initial response begins during the disaster event when crews are activated to cut and toss debris off the roadway. Routes to critical facilities (such as hospitals) and other priority routes are addressed first. This process ensures police, firefighters, EMS and other first responders crucial to the response can navigate the roadways safely.

During the recovery phase, eligible disaster-related debris will be collected from residential neighborhoods. Debris should be placed curbside and separated into the following categories: construction, vegetative, household hazardous waste, appliances/white goods and electronics. During this process, DO NOT bag debris or put debris in containers. Depending on the severity of the event, it may take multiple passes before all debris is collected.

Recover

Remember, we're all in this together