BSU is ready for hurricane season – are you? 

During the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes, BSU was able to provide continuous service to member-customers. The storms taught us valuable lessons, and we have worked hard since then to formalize our emergency response plan. BSU managers recently gathered to talk through several hurricane scenarios. The exercise served as a test of the plan and helped pinpoint things we had not considered and situations that had changed.

Should a hurricane head our way, we will do many of the same things people across Bonita Springs will do to prepare: We’ll top off the fuel tanks of our 65 operations vehicles, so they are ready to hit the roads after the storm, and we’ll install storm shutters at our offices. The pantry will be stocked with supplies to keep our staff going for three to five days, computer files will be backed up, and essential records will be moved to secure locations.
 
In addition, we’ll check fuel levels in emergency generators, secure construction sites and review work schedules and employees’ plans for riding out the storm.
 
As the hurricane nears Bonita Springs, essential personnel will gather at our Operations Service Center, satellite phones will be activated, and a utility liaison officer will join city officials to monitor the storm. Safety is the highest priority, so staff members in the field will work only in pairs, and once winds reach 40 mph, everyone will stay inside.
 
In addition to doing all that is possible to provide uninterrupted service, we also will ready ourselves to conduct business if our offices are damaged. BSU has redundant computer servers at two of our facilities, but backup data also is shipped to Ocala. If the worst happens and our Terry Street headquarters is destroyed, our business office can be up and running within 48 hours via a trailer equipped with computers, telephones and the other gear needed to serve customers, pay our employees, generate bills and conduct business with our suppliers.

After a storm, our staff will assess damage, start generators if the power is out and begin repairs to keep potable water flowing and sewer service operating. If the area suffers severe damage, utility crews will travel from around the state to work with our staff.

We’re as ready as we can be, but even the best planning cannot prepare us for a catastrophic storm or worse-case scenario. Everyone must prepare themselves to be entirely self-sufficient for three to five days. Stock your pantry with ready-to-eat food, and store plenty of drinking water. Have equipment available to boil water in the event of a water-main break or other interruption that might contaminate your water.