Duke Energy Prepares Vulnerable Residents for Storm Season
Employees assemble and distribute storm kits to 4,000 seniors
Duke Energy recently joined with local community groups to assemble and distribute storm preparedness kits to about 4,000 seniors, some of Florida’s most vulnerable residents. The program expanded across the state after a 2018 pilot in Pinellas County that reached 1,000 homebound seniors in the Meals on Wheels program.
The storm preparedness kits, funded by the Duke Energy Foundation and several community organizations, include about 20 items that might be needed during and after a storm, such as first aid kits, whistles, flashlights, batteries, blankets, personal-sized fans, wet wipes and records for pertinent storm safety and medical information.
About 150 Duke Energy and partner volunteers assembled the 4,000 kits distributed with a presentation on storm safety to senior residents through congregate dining locations and Meals on Wheels recipients in Citrus, Gilchrist, Pinellas, and Highlands Counties and to income-qualified residents through existing food distribution sites in the Tarpon Springs and Lealman communities.
Duke Energy volunteers worked with Pinellas County Emergency Management, Citrus County Emergency Management, Gilchrist County Emergency Management, Highlands County Emergency Management, Citrus Friends of the Community Centers, Highlands Nu-Hope Elder Care Services, The Dream Center, Neighborly Care Network, Pinellas County Community Health Clinics, Senior Citizens Council of Madison County, Trenton Community Center and AARP.
Elderly residents weren’t the only vulnerable population Duke Energy helped get ready for storms and other disasters. The week-long EPIC (Emergency Preparedness in Children) Day Camp, a project of the Highlands County 4-H and the Highlands County Emergency Management, was supported by the Duke Energy Foundation. The June 3-7 program taught Highlands County youth how to prepare for and survive a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado or fire.
Duke Energy encourages all its customers to prepare for hurricane season by building a storm kit for their family. Visit duke-energy.com/stormtips for more information.
