LAUREL, Miss. ( WHLT ) – As Hurricane Francine approaches Mississippi, the Dixie Electric Power Association activated its emergency response plan. The team is ready to respond to any outages once it is safe to do so.

According to officials, restoration efforts will not begin until damage assessments have been made and weather conditions allow for the safe deployment of crews. This will likely be after the storm passes and winds have dropped to safe levels on Thursday.

Additionally, Dixie Electric will delay opening its offices on Thursday, September 12 until noon.

Safety Tips:

• Generator Safety: If you are using a generator, DO NOT plug it directly into your home’s wiring. Doing so can create dangerous backfeed and pose a risk to linemen.
• Secure Outdoor Items: Before the storm arrives, make sure any outdoor furniture, equipment, or loose items are secured to prevent them from becoming projectiles.
• Update Your Contact Information: Ensure the company has your current contact details, as this will help the company keep you informed about outages and restoration times.

Members can report outages through the following methods:

• SmartHub app
• Call 601-425-2535
• Text “OUT” to 601-340-4442

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