IMPORTANT! Save Our Numbers for Text and Phone Alerts

On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative members received a text from 833-417-5291. We encourage our members to save this number in their phones so that our messages are less likely to appear as spam or unknown. You may receive text notifications about important...
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President’s Message – May 2026

Have a Plan and Stay Alert

Dwight Van Lierop

As summer gets underway, so does hurricane season, which officially begins in June. For those across Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s service area, that means a higher risk of severe weather—high winds, heavy rain, flash flooding and the potential for extended power outages.

Severe weather, whether it happens close to home or elsewhere, is a reminder of how quickly conditions can change. It’s also a good reminder of why having a plan matters.

Have a Plan

Start with the basics: Know your surroundings. Be aware of whether your home is in a flood-prone area, and take note of emergency exits and safe shelter locations wherever you go—whether that’s work, school, church or a large event. A little awareness ahead of time can make a big difference in an emergency.

Stay Alert

Staying informed is just as important. A battery-powered radio or weather radio is a smart addition to any emergency kit, especially during power outages. Make sure your phone is set to receive emergency alerts—even overnight—since severe weather often develops while we’re asleep.

Storms can form and intensify quickly, sometimes with little warning. While forecasting continues to improve, staying alert and ready to act is still key.

GCEC is committed to keeping members informed and restoring power as quickly and safely as possible when storms hit. Make sure your contact information is up to date so you can receive outage updates and important alerts through the co-op’s communication channels, including our Facebook page and the Gulf Coast Electric Co-op mobile app.

Behind the scenes, co-op crews and staff spend time preparing for storm season— reviewing response plans, monitoring conditions and making sure resources are ready to go. When severe weather moves in, their focus is on safety and getting the lights back on as efficiently as possible.

A little preparation now can go a long way later. By staying aware, connected and
ready, we can all head into hurricane season with a bit more confidence.