News

Starkville Utilities Proactively Prepares for Winter’s Challenges

Enhanced reliability reduces impact on customers

When the leaves turn brown and the sky is gray, some may be dreaming of warmer climates and sandy beaches. Not crews at Starkville Utilities who prepare year-round for the challenges winter weather can bring.

Through preventative maintenance, tree trimming and other measures, crews are enhancing reliability before storms hit, making restoration safer and smoother for everyone.

“While we can’t control the weather, we can be as proactive as possible to safely speed the outage restoration process and minimize the impact on the lives of our customers,” said Terry Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities. “Trees and branches are the biggest threat to the electricity grid during storms, so trimming them back is key to maintaining the system.”

That’s why Starkville Utilities works diligently to clear branches and trees from power lines — an effective strategy to reduce storm-related outages in all seasons. As part of its inclement weather program, Starkville Utilities’ crews also conduct monthly line patrols to identify equipment problems and initiate repairs.

In anticipation of winter storms, Starkville Utilities stocks extra supplies and equipment to support repair efforts and maintains updated contact information for local and state authorities in the event of emergencies.

Starkville Utilities suggests that customers follow these tips to get ready for chilly weather:

• Maintain trees on your property to reduce risk factors such as limbs that could break off and damage your house or electrical lines and equipment.
• Winterize your home by insulating walls and attics and caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows.
• Clean chimneys and heating equipment and make sure they are inspected annually.
• Insulate pipes, especially exposed pipes, and allow faucets to drip a little during extreme cold to keep pipes from freezing solid.
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work. If you use a backup generator or a gas or wood-burning fireplace, detectors will keep your family safe by sensing odorless gas or smoke.
• Keep extra water on hand. It is recommended that households keep one gallon of water per person per day to last at least three days for drinking and sanitation, as well as a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Keep up with the latest information. Visit the Starkville Utilities website or follow our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages. You also can communicate with SU customer service reps via Facebook Messenger or by calling (662) 323-3133.

“Keeping customers and crews safe is our top priority,” Kemp said. “As part of our Renew Principal, Starkville Utilities is continuously looking for ways to improve our performance during normal operations and storm response efforts.”

Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.