Seasonal Forecast Indicates Above-Average
Atlantic Hurricane Activity for 2022
WAUKESHA, Wis., May 2, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- Generac Power Systems (NYSE: GNRC), a leading
global designer, manufacturer and provider of energy technology
solutions and other power products, is encouraging homeowners and
businesses on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts to begin preparing early
for this year's hurricane season, as another above-average number
of storms are anticipated to impact and disrupt power to millions
of Americans.
Colorado State University recently
issued its annual outlook for the 2022 hurricane season, which
predicts an above-average number of storms in the Atlantic basin,
many of which have the potential to cause serious and dangerous
extended power outages. In the prediction are 19 named storms, nine
hurricanes, and four major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).
Power outages have become more frequent across the country due
to an aging electrical grid, and the coastal regions where tropical
storms are becoming more common have created staggering outage
metrics. According to utility outage data gathered by Generac's
Power Outage Central, the most disrupted metro-areas since
January 2020 include:
- Miami - Ft. Lauderdale with nearly 30 outages
impacting about 920,000 customers
- Tampa - St. Petersburg with about 15 outages impacting
just under 1 million customers
- Houston with about 12 outages
affecting 4.4 million customers
- New Orleans with roughly 11
outages impacting 2.4 million customers
- Ft. Myers - Naples with about
11 outages impacting about 400,000 customers
"Another active hurricane season is not a surprise, but rather
something we have come to expect, and highlights the need for a
reliable source of power in the home," said Kyle Raabe, president of Consumer Power for
Generac. "Hurricanes can and do lead to economic disruption,
injuries and a tragic loss of life. A hurricane preparedness plan
is essential for everyone in the potential path of these storms,
and having a backup power solution is part of being fully
prepared."
Homeowners should consider the following:
- Photograph your possessions, to make filing an insurance claim
easier, should that become necessary.
- Purchase water and non-perishable, nutritious, and protein-rich
staples that do not require refrigeration or heat.
- Right before a storm, ensure electronic devices are fully
charged. Have a battery-powered emergency radio ready to use, and
check weather conditions daily to stay current with emergency
information.
- If you have a portable generator, keep it ready with off-season
maintenance. Start and run the generator monthly for a few minutes
to keep components lubricated throughout the engine.
- Be sure the fuel in your portable generator is stable and ready
for use. As a rule of thumb, a portable generator will run between
nine and 11 hours on 6 to 7 gallons of fuel, if operated at 50
percent load.
- Consider purchasing a home standby unit for fully automatic
whole-home power backup. If you already have a home standby unit,
be sure it undergoes regularly scheduled maintenance so it is ready
to work when you need it most.
- Even if you don't plan to evacuate, have a plan ready in case
it becomes the best option. If you have relatives who live inland,
talk with them now about the possibility of staying with them
later.
Generac offers a variety of resources to keep homeowners
informed and prepared for the hurricane season ahead, including the
annual Hurricane Preparedness Guide, a free and simple tool to
guide homeowners through the storm season. You can also track any
and all outages at Generac's Power Outage Central.
To learn more about Generac or home backup power solutions,
visit generac.com.
About Generac
Generac Power Systems, Inc. (NYSE:
GNRC) is a leading energy technology company that provides advanced
power grid software solutions, backup and prime power systems for
home and industrial applications, solar + battery storage
solutions, virtual power plant platforms and engine- and
battery-powered tools and equipment. Founded in 1959, Generac
introduced the first affordable backup generator and later created
the category of automatic home standby generator - a market in
which nearly eight of ten generators sold is a Generac. The company
is committed to sustainable, cleaner energy products poised to
revolutionize the 21st-century electrical grid.
Contact: Don Klein
Don.Klein@Generac.com
Phone: 414-531-0470
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SOURCE Generac Power Systems, Inc.