As we turn the page into May, our focus naturally shifts toward the start of Hurricane Season on June 1. Each year, we hope Mother Nature grants us a quiet summer. But hope alone is never a plan. At CHELCO, we prepare for the worst so we can deliver the best for our members—no matter what the season brings.

Preparation is a responsibility we share as a cooperative family. For our members, that means taking a few simple steps now to protect your home and loved ones. 

• Create or refresh your storm kit with essentials like flashlights, batteries, medications, water, and nonperishable food.
• Review your family’s emergency plan and make sure everyone knows where to go and how to communicate if severe weather approaches.
• Stay connected to trusted local resources, especially your county’s Emergency Management Department, which provides real‑time updates, shelter information, and storm guidance tailored to our communities.
• If you or someone in your home depends on electricity for medical equipment or mobility, it’s important to plan ahead. Florida’s Special Needs Registry helps local emergency management agencies identify and assist individuals during disasters. Please note that registering does not guarantee priority power restoration. If you depend on electricity, you must have a backup plan or evacuation strategy in place.

Inside CHELCO, preparation is just as intentional. At the direction of our Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, CHELCO employees participate in our annual Hurricane Readiness Meeting. This cooperative‑wide exercise brings together each functional workgroup—from line operations and engineering to member services and communications—to walk through scenarios and ask the critical question: “What if this happened?”
That question drives our planning.

What if a storm stalls over the Panhandle? What if flooding limits access to certain areas? What if multiple circuits are damaged at once? By challenging ourselves with these possibilities now, we strengthen our ability to respond swiftly and safely when it matters most.

Many of our members may be surprised to learn that during a major storm response, every CHELCO employee is effectively on call. Employees step out of their day‑to‑day roles and take on responsibilities that support the crews working to restore power. You’ll see staff from various departments delivering meals to field crews, coordinating logistics, or helping manage materials. It’s a full‑team effort, and it reflects the cooperative spirit at its best.

Our readiness is also shaped by the cooperative principle of Mutual Aid. Over the years, CHELCO crews have traveled across the Southeast to help sister cooperatives rebuild after storms. We’ve stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with linemen in Louisiana to South Carolina—restoring power for communities facing their darkest days. And should our region ever face similar challenges, we know that same support will come right back to us.

While we pray for a gentle season, we remain committed to being ready for whatever comes our way. Your cooperative is prepared, your crews are trained, and your community is supported by a team that takes this responsibility to heart. Thank you for trusting CHELCO to power your homes, your businesses, and your lives—through calm skies and stormy ones alike.

Steve Rhodes,
Chief Executive Officer