JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With the winter storm less than 24 hours away Action News Jax is digging into how city officials are prepping for the possibility of icy roads, freezing rain, and even snow.
JEA said it’s coordinating with city partners in preparation for the storm.
Additional crews are on standby in anticipation of possible power outages and water issues.
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“We’re looking at other options to ensure their safety. So, they’re close to some of the service stations when the time comes,” Myers Vasquez with JEA said.
Vasquez said freezing rain could increase the chances of downed branches, which could cause outages.
However, he noted the utility works year-round to mitigate the risk of vegetation impacting power lines.
“The main concern for us would be freezing rain affecting some of the limbs that hang close to our power lines and those dipping down and damaging or interrupting power that way. But like I said, throughout the year, we are looking at vegetation management. Ensuring those [limbs] are nowhere near our power lines to be ready for a moment like this,” Vasquez said.
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Vasquez urged caution when using space heaters indoors.
He also noted bills might be slightly higher, as heating systems will have to work harder due to the cold weather.
To avoid pipe bursts, he encouraged customers to drip their faucets overnight.
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“If you have a backflow preventer on your meter, cover that up. So, those steady streams inside, a little bit of drip to prepare for that. Make sure you know where your water cutoff is in case there is a rupture within your line,” Vasquez said.
Road conditions could delay JEA’s response if it’s unsafe for crews to drive.
Once it’s safe to hit the roads, they’ll be able to respond to any outages or burst pipes.
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