The Situation People's well-being, and often their lives, depend on a reliable source of electrical power. Hospitals, schools, and businesses of all kinds are severely impacted by power shortages - even for short periods of time.
Natural disasters are a nightmare for utility companies.
Their devastating effects can wipe out service to an area for hours, days, even weeks. Utility companies in the nation's hurricane belt, in particular, have developed elaborate back-up plans in the event that such a crippling storm occurs. Recently, an electric utility company in the Southeast experienced its worst nightmare - a Category 4 storm that ravaged huge areas of five states. Citizens were literally left in the dark for long periods - without updated information or assistance of any kind. Fortunately, the electric company had prepared for this possibility by working with CSC's engineering staff to develop an emergency plan.