Atlantic hurricane season officially began this month; the six-month storm season runs through June 1 – November 30. The arrival of hurricane season, which comes on the heels of the severe weather which affected a number of states and resulted in historic flooding in Texas and Oklahoma, serves as a reminder to utilities and energy companies to ensure that their equipment is up-to-code and ready to handle severe weather.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane season will “likely be below-normal.” Despite the chance of a suppressed hurricane season, forecasters are still predicting a 70 percent likelihood of 6 to 11 named storms, 3 to 6 of which could become hurricanes (defined as storms with winds of 74 mph or higher), and up to 2 storms could be major hurricanes (defined as Category 3, 4 or 5 storms with winds of 111 mph or higher). There is also a 20 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season.

According to NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, a below-normal season doesn’t mean coastal areas are “off the hook.”

“As we’ve seen before, below-normal seasons can still produce catastrophic impacts to communities,” she said.

As hurricane season begins, electric and utility companies and co-ops are reminded of the importance of prepping their employees and their equipment for the possibility of severe storms. According to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which represents 900 electric co-ops which provide power to customers in 47 states, across the nation, “Electric cooperatives in coastal states from Texas to Maine routinely update their emergency plans and hold staff briefings on hurricane preparedness before each hurricane season.”

Is Your Company Ready?

Whether you’re a high-profile utilities company providing power to customers throughout the country, or a small maintenance business providing power line repair, it is essential to be prepared for hurricane season. Each year, these organizations find themselves on the front lines of the storms, repairing downed power lines, cleaning up trees and debris, and restoring power outages.

In order to be properly prepared for hurricane season, it’s essential that your equipment is both efficient and up-to-code. Atlas Truck Sales specializes in quality reconditioned bucket trucks and digger derrick trucks, and offers service on all types of hydraulic boom repairs, as well as annual and di-electric testing. Don’t get caught in the storm unprepared. Contact Atlas Truck Sales today.