OUC in the news   Press/media contacts   Publication library   Knowledge Center   More about OUC		For Immediate Release  return to archive August 31, 2004 Media Contact Sheridan Becht jbecht@ouc.com OUC in Hurricane Preparedness Mode and Securing Contract Lineworkers ORLANDO – Hurricane Frances could pay a visit to Central Florida this week and OUC—The Reliable One has already begun to prepare for the possibility of the storm's arrival. "We are securing the services of contractors and the other utilities that assisted us after Hurricane Charley," said Ken Ksionek, general manager and chief executive officer of OUC. "We are retracing our steps and ramping back up." In addition to crews that assisted after Hurricane Charley, OUC is securing crews from throughout the Midwest. Electric linemen and equipment would arrive before the storm and be staged and ready to go well ahead of damaging winds. In light of the busy Labor Day holiday weekend, OUC is blocking hotel rooms today and making other crew arrangements. OUC has also restocked its hurricane inventory of poles, transformers and other key items. Additional information about storm preparations will be posted on OUC's Web site (www.ouc.com). Established in 1923 and owned by the citizens of Orlando, OUC—The Reliable One provides electric and water services to more than 190,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. OUC is the second-largest public power utility in Florida.