Storm Safety

Before a Hurricane 

• Move or secure all loose items (grills, patio furniture, etc.) which can blow into—and cause needless damage to—your home or natural gas meter
• Do not shut off your gas supply at the meter. If you must evacuate your home or business, leave your natural gas supply on. You can shut off the gas supply at each appliance. (Only authorized utility or emergency personnel should turn your meter valve on or off)
• Protect windows with boards or storm shutters, if able
• Place sandbags around the perimeter of your home to decrease water damage in the event of flooding
• Be sure to have plenty of the essentials at hand, including flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, water, any vital medications and a first aid kit (The National Hurricane Center recommends having enough to sustain your family for up to seven days) For a list of important hurricane supplies, refer to our Storm Survival Checklist

Storm Survival Checklist

After a Hurricane or Severe Weather

• Do not operate gas appliances or controls you suspect have been flooded or damaged
• Wait for authorities to announce that the danger has passed before going outdoors
• In the rare event you lost natural gas service, be sure to contact FPU to have our trained technicians safely turn your gas back on. You can also call FPU to relight your pilot lights and inspect your appliances to ensure they are in proper working condition. (All FPU personnel carry ID to be presented upon request)
• Do not remove fallen trees or do any digging without calling 811 to locate your utility lines and FPU to locate your fuel lines
• Keep away from any loose, dangling or drowned power lines and report them immediately
• Drive only when necessary, avoiding any flooded roads, fallen objects, weakened walls/bridges and other traffic hazards

Important Notice For The Disabled or Special Needs Customers

The Special Needs Registry Shelter Program is designed to provide hurricane or disaster related evacuation assistance and care for those without other alternatives. If you or a member of your family need transportation assistance or have a health/medical condition that requires medical attention while at a shelter or during disaster related evacuation, you should register for this program. If you are a client of a hospice or home health care agency, you should ensure that they have already registered you into the system. Otherwise, you can access the Special Needs Registry Shelter Program by going on-line to snr.floridadisaster.org.  You will need to log-in, create a password and then access the portal. If you have any questions or do not have internet access, please contact your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Office. A list of EMA offices can be found at the Florida Disaster website.

Storm Safety For Specific Appliances

Many natural gas appliances continue to operate when the power goes out. However, certain manufacturers and models feature ‘safety valves’ that will automatically discontinue the flow of natural gas in the event of a power outage. Consult your user’s manual for specific operating instructions and guidelines, important safety features and more. Or contact your local FPU office and we will do our best to assist you.

Please Note: Following a storm, our crews first respond to emergency calls, but will be happy to assist you with your appliances once public safety is secured.

Natural Gas Hurricane Safety Information

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