SLEMCO

POWESEPTEMBERR/OCTOBER 2018 GETTING READY FOR PEAK HURRICANE SEASON & THE DAMAGE IT CAN BRING PAGE 4

ADVICE FOR HURRICANE NEWBIES PAGE 3 BEAUTIFUL, FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN PAGE 6 GENERATOR SAFETY PAGE 8 SLEMCO POWER NOTIFY SLEMCO Volume 66 No. 5 September/October 2018 WHEN WORKING NEAR HIGH VOLTAGE LINES The Official Publication of the Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Corporation o promote worker and public work within 10 feet of any high voltage safety, the Louisiana legislature overhead electric utility line, the person 3420 NE Evangeline Thruway P.O. Box 90866 T has adopted rules for those responsible for the work must notify the Lafayette, Louisiana 70509 who work near overhead power lines. owner or operator of the high voltage Phone 337-896-5384 (Lucky Account Number 4502339700) overhead electric utility line not less than www.slemco.com Specifically, Louisiana law (LRS 45: 141 48 hours prior to commencing work. BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 146) prohibits unauthorized persons Work shall be performed only after ACADIA PARISH from working—including moving any satisfactory mutual arrangements have Bryan G. Leonards, Sr., equipment—within 10 feet of any high been completed between the owner or Secretary-Treasurer voltage overhead electric utility line. operator of the high voltage overhead Merlin Young If any unauthorized person intends to electric utility line and the person ST. MARTIN PARISH responsible for the work. Jeremy Melancon • Don Resweber LAFAYETTE PARISH Call 896-5384 or Carl Comeaux 896-5551 to notify Johnny Meaux SLEMCO if you intend ST. LANDRY PARISH to work within 10 feet of Gary G. Soileau, Vice President Gary J. Smith one of our high VERMILION PARISH voltage overhead Joseph David Simon, Jr., President electric utility lines. Charles Sonnier ATTORNEY James J. Davidson, III EXECUTIVE STAFF Glenn A. Tamporello Chief Executive Officer and General Manager LUCKY NUMBER Katherine Domingue Chief Financial Officer and Assistant General Manager Jim Laque Director of Engineering and Strategic Planning WINNERS Brandon Meche Director of Operations nly one SLEMCO member called in to claim SLEMCO POWER STAFF their $50 prize after finding their SLEMCO Mary Laurent, CCC, CKAE, MIP O account number hidden inside the July/ WEB UPDATES FOR Editor August issue of SLEMCO Power. Blaine Leger of Iota had an eagle-eye and scooped up his bill credit. WEATHER SLEMCO POWER (USPS 498-720, ISSN The remaining customers who weren’t as 0274-7685) is published bimonthly by Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Corporation, lucky included Blake Bourgeois of Broussard, EMERGENCIES 3420 NE Evangeline Thruway, Lafayette, LA Ben Bienvenu of St. Martinville, Marie Dugas of uring severe weather, 70509-0866. Periodicals postage paid at Lafayette, LA 70507. Lafayette, Curtis Lagrange of Arnaudville, Everett such as hurricanes, Martin of Melville, Michael Richard Sr. of Lafayette, you can count on POSTMASTER: send address changes to SLEMCO, D P.O. Box 90866, Lafayette, LA 70509-0866. John Sweeney of Church Point, Mandy Kurisko SLEMCO to keep you of Erath and Paulette Fisher of Carencro. (Lucky updated on the status of This institution is an equal opportunity Account Number 4502338000) repairs in your service area. provider and employer. We’ve hidden ten more SLEMCO SLEMCO customers account numbers in this issue. who evacuate will be able Cover Photo by C.C. Lockwood Look now to see if yours is to watch the home page of one of them. If you find your www.slemco.com or follow account number, call Michelle our Facebook page for a Courvelle at 337-896-2504. special Emergency News link. Once she verifies that you’re a Either our website or winner, she’ll credit your SLEMCO facebook page will take you to account for $50. • the latest news on SLEMCO power restoration. •

Page 2 | SLEMCO Power Advice for HURRICANE NEWBIES By Mary Laurent NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS)

t’s been a while since we’ve had a hurricane in SLEMCO’s Once the feeders are on, we get down to the nitty-gritty — the service area. (Lucky Account Number 1109042500) Lots of one-by-one, house-to-house work. This type of power restoration I folks have “come of age” since then and now are first-time takes the longest because there may be trees, debris or damage to homeowners, parents or adults, preparing for hurricane season homes that takes longer to untangle, re-wire and reconnect. on their own for the first time. We all love our beautiful trees, but they sure do cause loads The one question we get the most is, “Where do you restore of trouble when they get tangled with power lines. It’s not power first?” The answer is, wherever we can get the most homes uncommon for one tree to take and businesses turned on the fastest. hours of work to get things We always start with transmission lines that bring in power cleared, cut and the power lines from the generating plant. If they aren’t up and running, no one back up and running. gets power. Period. (Lucky Account Number 4502511703) Once Here are a few more tips to keep transmission lines are cleared, we move to substation feeders. things a little more comfortable for Again, if a feeder is out, it does our crews no good to head to you and your family that you may individual houses because there still won’t be power heading your not have thought of if you’re on way if there is no power flowing through the feeders. Once the your own for the first time during a substation feeders are all on, if your power is back on, you’re good hurricane or major storm: to go. If not, unfortunately, it may take a while. Here’s why:

Prepare for food, water and If you or a family member If flooding has occurred in Make sure you have a shelter for up to 7 days, just needs oxygen or any other your area, pay attention phone charger that can be 1in case. Yes, that’s a “seven” 2 life-saving equipment, make 3 to newscasts to see if your 4 charged in your vehicle. As not a “one.” Outage time is arrangements ahead of time for a area is under a “boil advisory.” much as you may hate it, Facebook determined by the amount of generator or relocate until power Floodwaters also mean snakes. Be might be how you get information damage done in your area. is restored. vigilant if you are in rural areas for a while, which will help you feel that have experienced flooding. less isolated and more in control of Prepare to be without Expect it to be very difficult what’s going on around you. communication for several to get through to us on our days. Cell service is phone lines. Our phones We will post updates to 6 Most importantly, consider 5 our Facebook page on often non-existent after severe are not off the hook. Our office ALL downed power lines hurricanes. It sometimes comes is fully staffed. We are here and 7 a regular basis. (Lucky and ALL power lines back up fairly quickly, but you working around the clock to get Account Number 4514930200) 8 tangled in trees as energized and never know. Devise a plan for you power back on as quickly and as We encourage you to “like” dangerous. Obey warnings issued and your family to be self-sufficient safely as possible. We have nearly us on Facebook ahead of time by your local authorities. We want for a while. Tip: If you make it an 109,000 members, but nowhere so you can automatically get everyone to recover safely. “adventure,” you and your kids near that many phone lines. You power restoration updates after • will make wonderful memories as can also report your outage via hurricanes. you “rough it” and bond without SmartHub. electronic distractions.

SLEMCO Power | Page 3 he LSU AgCenter has experts and resources to T get Louisiana residents ready for the next storm. Are You AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel said hurricane prep projects start with the letter S. “Think shingles, soffits, seals, shutters and surroundings,” Reichel said. Ready? Homeowners looking to replace a roof have hurricane- Expert Tips to Prepare for Hurricane hardy options. But if a replacement isn’t in the plans, Season from LSU AgCenter Reichel said, homeowners can strengthen existing shingles with roofing cement. “Put some dabs under the first course of shingles and along the gable ends where it is most vulnerable,” she said. Roof damage is the biggest homeowners insurance claim following a hurricane. Reichel also recommended securing soffits with polyurethane sealant and stainless steel screws. “Soffits are less likely to get blown around and allow wind-driven rain into your attic and cause major damage,” she said. Inexpensive caulk will seal holes where wires, cables and pipes enter or exit your house.

SLEMCO Power | Page 4 CC Lockwood

When high winds are Gill recommends hiring a expected, flying debris licensed arborist to evaluate can damage windows. trees and see what work

Shutters such as lightweight needs to be done on them. CC Lockwood translucent removable storm (Lucky Account Number panels are a good alternative 1210654500) to heavy plywood boards, He also said to secure enough so they won’t be hit Reichel said. loose objects in your by flood waters,” he said. AgCenter horticulturist landscapes, such as potted AgCenter food safety Dan Gill also stressed plants, hanging baskets, expert Wenqing Xu said now the need to look at your bird feeders, wind chimes, is the time to stock up on surroundings before a storm. children’s play areas and non-perishable food items High on the list is checking patio furniture. and water. out trees, particularly mature Also protect chemicals “Water is very important. shade trees. “Look for trees that may be stored in It is best to buy bottled water and prepare one gallon of that have decay in their trunk a garage or carport. for them in some way will water per day per person,” or large dead areas, or ones (Lucky Account Number help if you are separated she said. that are dead all together. All 1450448500) “Make sure from your animals. Navarre To keep food safe in the of this needs to be taken care chemicals such as pesticides recommended storing event of a power outage, keep of well before a hurricane or gasoline are in secure identification numbers the doors of your refrigerator threatens our area,” locations and are high online in the cloud so they be and freezer shut as much as Gill said. retrieved from anywhere. possible. “Frozen foods can She also said to prepare an be safely refrozen if they still emergency to-go box that have ice crystals on them or includes contact information the temperature is 40 degrees for animals’ veterinarians, or lower,” Xu said. medications, feed and leashes. She also said to make She also said it is important to sure you have a manual can get a pet used to its pet carrier opener, a food thermometer before it is necessary for the to monitor temperature and animal to be transported in it. bleach if you need to sanitize Determine where you will utensils, pots and water. evacuate before the storm and Preparation also means make sure it is pet-friendly getting pets and livestock if you are bringing your pets ready for a storm. LSU with you or look for a place AgCenter veterinarian Dr. where you can safely board Christine Navarre said pets or livestock, Navarre said. to make sure animals are For more information on healthy and vaccinations are preparing for emergencies, up-to-date. visit www.lsuagcenter.com “Healthy animals will be and search for keywords better prepared to handle the like family safety, hurricane stress of relocation,” Navarre preparedness and storm news. said. (Lucky Account Number Microchipping animals 2025222501) or having identification •

SLEMCO Power | Page 5 DESIGN FOR YOUR HOME BEAUTIFUL, FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN COOK, CLEAN, DINE, WORK…WHILE ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF IT

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1 2 3 4 SPACE TO SPARE CONVENIENT CLEANUP COFFEE & TEA FOR ME WORKABLE WORKSPACE This homeowner loves to cook and Placement is key: dirty dishes are Love coffee, but hate the clutter? For a useful office in a small desired a more generous, open scraped into the trash (left), rinsed This cabinet extends down to the footprint, think big. Two full-size space, filled with daylight. (Lucky in the sink (center), loaded into the countertop, housing everything for drawers hold lateral files, while Account Number 4501395000) dishwasher (right). Clean dishes your morning ritual. Doors open, the cabinet above houses printer, Walls were removed to integrate are then unloaded from the dish- then retract back. After coffee, shredder and office supplies. A the kitchen into the living washer onto pull-out shelves (far close the doors and it’s neat and wide desk holds a laptop plus room environment. Maple cabinets, right). No wasted effort! If you’re tidy. The hanging shelf unit creates to spread out. Just pull up a dining white quartz counters and exposed left-handed, reverse the order. a pocket for the retractable doors. chair and get to work. brick offer a clean, restful look.

Text: Anne Darrah | Photos: Haylei Smith | Kitchen Design: Lisa Bourque Design | Interior Accessories: Mary Beyt

SLEMCO Power | Page 6 SOMETHINGGOOD IS ALWAYSCOOKING

These recipes come from A Little Taste 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tsp. vanilla of Heaven, from Morehead City, North 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning 2 cups chopped nuts Carolina. A national winner of the 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1 cup flaked coconut Tabasco Community Cookbook Awards, 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 (7 oz.) jar marshmallow cream it is available for $24.95 plus postage and 1 box Brownie Mix handling from www.carterethistory.org. Cook manicotti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease Cool Slaw the sausage over medium heat until no and flour 9 x 12-inch pan. In large bowl, longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce. beat eggs until foamy. Add butter and mix 1 (16 oz.) bag of shredded cabbage with Drain manicotti and rinse with cold water. well. Add brownie mix and blend well. Stir carrot (or 1 small head of cabbage, In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, in vanilla, then nuts and coconut. Pour shredded) 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan into pan and bake 30 minutes until edges 3 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into small cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder separate from pan. While still hot, care- chunks (toss with a bit of lemon juice) and pepper. Carefully stuff manicotti. (I fully spread jar of marshmallow cream on 1 small onion, chopped use a pastry bag with a large-hole tip.) top. Frost with chocolate icing. 1 cup dried cranberries Place in a greased 11x7x2-inch baking 1/2 cup salted peanuts (or walnuts or dish. Top with sausage mixture. Bake, Chocolate Icing: almonds, your choice) uncovered, at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes 1 lb. powdered sugar Salt and pepper to taste or until heated through. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup butter 1 small bottle cole slaw dressing remaining mozzarella. Bake 3 to 5 minutes 6 tbsp. milk longer or until cheese is melted. 4 tbsp. cocoa Toss all the ingredients and chill 1 hour before serving. Sonda’s Pan Seared Place powdered sugar in a medium bowl. In small saucepan, combine butter, Special Green Beans Sesame Tuna milk and cocoa. Bring to a boil, stirring 1/2 cup onion, sliced Tuna: constantly. Remove from heat, add to pow- 2 tbsp. butter 4 (1-inch) tuna steaks dered sugar. Beat until smooth. Frost cake. 1 tbsp. parsley, chopped 2 tbsp. vegetable oil 2 tbsp. flour Salt and pepper Marmalade Cookies 1 tsp. salt 1/4 cup sesame seeds 18 oz. self-rising flour 1/2 tsp. lemon peel, grated 7 oz. melted butter, but not hot 1 cup sour cream Pat tuna dry. Salt and pepper to taste, Grated rind from 1/2 lemon (or more) 1/2 cup sharp cheese, grated rub with oil then dip tuna in sesame seeds 7 oz. sugar 5 cups fresh green beans, cooked to coat both sides. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in frying 3 eggs 1 cup sliced water chestnuts pan until it begins to smoke. Sear tuna 1 1 oz. rum 2 tbsp. butter, melted minute, turn and sear other side 1 more 1/2 cup cracker crumbs minute for rare tuna. Serve with sauce. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Shape dough into a ball and refrigerate 30 to 45 Lightly sauté the onion and parsley Sauce: minutes. Pinch off 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the in 2 tbsp. butter. Add the flour, salt and 1/4 cup soy sauce dough and roll out on a floured surface to lemon peel; blend. Remove from heat and 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired add sour cream, cheese, beans and water 1/4 cup water shapes. For top cookie cut a small circular chestnuts. Place in 2-quart casserole. Mix 2 1/2 tsp. sugar hole in the center. Bake 10 to 12 minutes 2 tbsp. melted butter with cracker crumbs. 1 scallion, sliced in a preheated 375° oven until golden Place on top of mixture and bake at 350° 2 tsp. fresh minced ginger brown. Cool. When ready to serve, spread for 30 minutes. Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1 1/2 tsp. sesame oil 1/2 tsp. marmalade on the bottom cookie. 1 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes Press the top cookie onto the bottom Manicotti for Two cookie. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Combine all ingredients and stir until 4 uncooked manicotti shells sugar dissolves. 1/2 lb. bulk Italian sausage 1 1/2 cups meatless spaghetti sauce For extra copies of these recipes or to 1 cup ricotta cheese Mississippi Mud e-mail a copy to a friend, visit SLEMCO 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 4 eggs Power magazine online at www.slemco.com. divided 1/2 cup butter, melted

SLEMCO Power | Page 7 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS USE GENERATORS SAFELY

his is the time of year when Portable generators come in various sizes, powers the home, but sends power hurricane-wary homeowners think according to the wattage they can power. back into the lines leading to the home. T about generators—either getting For example, a 5kW (5,000 watt) generator This could electrocute utility workers one or getting a bigger one. can run appliances that, altogether, do not attempting to restore power lines. With our hurricane track record, require over 5,000 watts. Special switches must be installed to generators are common in southwest When determining what size generator prevent this, which is why these generators Louisiana. But if you’re still in the “need to buy, the LSU AgCenter recommends you should only be installed by licensed to buy one” category, you may want to do consider that appliances with motors (such professional electricians. Failure to some homework first. as refrigerators or freezers) require more install these safety devices can make the The two types of generators for home current to start than they do to run. You’ll homeowner liable for injuries or damages use are portable or stationary (standby) need to take that into consideration when resulting from an improper installation. generators. They are powered by different determining how many appliances you can The National Fire Protection fuels: gasoline for portable versions and safely run at one time. It also advises that Association publishes the National diesel, natural gas (NG) or liquefied bigger is not always better. The generator’s Electrical Code® (NEC®) and recommends petroleum gas (LPG) for stationary types. run time and fuel requirements are major the following tips for the proper use of But both types must be used outside in concerns during widespread power outages. portable generators: well-ventilated areas. The fuel supply you have on hand should • Operate generators only in well- Most popular, and least expensive last as long as possible. ventilated outdoor locations, away from by far, is the PORTABLE GENERATOR. The STATIONARY (STANDBY) all doors, windows and vents, so that Portable gasoline-powered generators can GENERATOR is sometimes called a whole exhaust fumes cannot enter the home. be purchased at most home improvement house generator. This type of generator • Turn the generator off and let it cool stores.However, this type of generator has must be installed by a professional, but before refueling. Never refuel while the its shortcomings. can be sized to accommodate the electrical generator is running. They provide insufficient power to meet needs of your entire home. These use fuels • Never store generator fuel in all the electrical needs of your house and such as diesel, natural gas or propane your home. (Lucky Account Number must be refueled often. And when used from a tank or line. Refueling is less of 4517192601) Gasoline and other improperly, they have the potential to cause a problem, but standby generators are a flammable liquids should be stored deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. sizeable investment. outside of living areas in properly-labeled Portable generators are most often used Any generator that is improperly safety containers. Fuel should always be to run only your home’s bare essentials: installed into your home’s wiring can stored away from any appliance with a lighting, fans, refrigerators and freezers. cause a condition known as backfeeding. flame, such as your gas water heater. Electricity from the generator not only • Plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord. Make sure the cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, including grounding pin. • Never try to power your house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. If you must connect a portable generator to the house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install a properly rated transfer switch in accordance with the NEC® and all applicable state and local electrical codes. •

FOR MORE INFORMATION National Fire Protection Association: www.nfpa.org U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov LSU AgCenter: www.lsuagcenter.com

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