Power Outages in Florida: Updates and Restoration Efforts After Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton has left a trail of destruction across Florida, with millions of residents facing power outages. The storm's impact on the state's electrical infrastructure has been severe, with widespread damage to power lines, poles, and substations. In this article, we will delve into the latest updates on power restoration efforts and provide insights into the challenges faced by utility companies like Duke Energy Florida and TECO.

1. **Power Outage Numbers and Affected Areas**

As of October 11, 2024, nearly 2.2 million Floridians were without power due to Hurricane Milton. The storm's impact was particularly severe in the Tampa Bay area, where over two-thirds of the region was left in the dark. According to the USA Today power outage map, the affected areas include major counties such as Polk, Hernando, Citrus, Pinellas, and Pasco.

Duke Energy Florida, one of the primary utility companies handling the restoration efforts, reported that over 850,000 outages still existed across its service area as of October 11. This number includes both resolved and ongoing outages. The company has deployed 16,000 resources to assist with the restoration process, with crews working tirelessly through the night to restore power to affected customers.

2. **Estimated Times of Restoration**

Duke Energy Florida has announced estimated times of restoration for customers impacted by Hurricane Milton. As of Friday afternoon, October 11, the company stated that the majority of customers in Brevard, Citrus, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties should have their power restored by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. Pinellas and Pasco counties are expected to have power restored by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday.

Todd Fountain, Duke Energy Florida's storm director, emphasized that the company is committed to restoring power within days rather than weeks. 'We want to alleviate our customers' concerns and reassure them that theyll have their power back on within days not weeks,' he said in a statement. 'We thank our team for their hard work and commitment to meeting these estimated times of restoration, our local officials and first responders for their support, and our customers for their continued patience.'

3. **Challenges in Restoration Efforts**

The restoration process is complex and faces several challenges. One of the primary issues is the extensive damage caused by fallen trees and branches impacting power lines. Additionally, storm surge flooding has led to rapid corrosion of equipment, necessitating rebuilding in many areas. 'From downed trees and branches falling on our power lines to storm surge flooding our equipment which causes almost immediate corrosion our infrastructure was severely damaged by Hurricane Milton,' said Todd Fountain.

Despite these challenges, Duke Energy Florida is working diligently to restore power as quickly as possible. Crews are staged at base camps in areas hardest hit by the storm, including Bexley Properties (Land O Lakes), Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport, Manheim Orlando (Winter Garden), Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, Sebring Raceway, Seminole Towne Center, Tropicana Field, and The Villages.

For customers using generators during the outage, Duke Energy Florida provides critical safety tips. These include operating generators exclusively outdoors and connecting appliances directly to them. It is also crucial to avoid wiring generators directly to breaker panels to prevent backfeeding into power lines, which can pose risks during repairs. Customers are advised to watch for utility crews and turn off generators when they are in the vicinity.

Customers who cannot receive power due to damage to their property's meter base, breaker panel, or customer-owned electrical wiring should contact their local municipalities for guidance. Inspections may be required after repairs are complete.

4. **TECO's Restoration Timeline**

TECO, another major utility company in the Tampa Bay area, has also announced its timeline for restoring power. According to WFLA, TECO has established seven base camps manned by 6,000 workers. These crews have already restored coverage to over 200,000 customers but still have another 520,000 to go.

In the City of Tampa, 65% of traffic lights are still out. TECO spokesperson Mary Lou Carn emphasized that everything must be safe and water must recede, debris must be removed before they can move in large caravans of line workers and electrical trucks. 'So as soon as that was able to go, we will be out and about,' she said.

TECO's efforts are part of a broader response to the storm's impact. The company is committed to getting customers' lives back to order as quickly as possible. 'We are 100% committed to getting our customers' lives back to order,' said TECO CEO Melissa Sexias. 'We know that the first step is power restoration. We take that job seriously, and we will continue to do that, but again, this will not be weeks of interruptions to our customers. This will be days.'

As of 5 p.m., TECO reported about 520,000 outages out of 840,000 customers. Duke Energy reported 486,000 outages out of 985,000 customers. Florida Power & Light (FPL) has 280,000 outages out of 500,000 customers in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

TECO's response to this outage is the largest in their history. The company's dedication to restoring power is evident in their commitment to double shifts seven days a week and bringing in line workers from all over the country.

5. **Safety Precautions During Power Outages**

During power outages, safety is paramount. Duke Energy reminds customers and the public to stay away from downed power lines that have fallen or are sagging. All power lines and trees, limbs, or anything in contact with power lines should be considered energized and dangerous.

If a power line falls across a vehicle you are in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, try to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

For those using generators at home to provide power until their service is restored, it is crucial to watch for utility crews and turn off the generator when crews are in your area. The electrical load on the power lines can be dangerous for crews making repairs.

Customers can report power outages through four different methods: visiting duke-energy.com via a desktop or mobile device, using the Duke Energy mobile app (download from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play), texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply), or calling the automated outage reporting system at 800.228.8485.

For the latest updates regarding power outages, customers can check Duke Energy's Outage Map or sign up for Outage Alerts.

6. **Conclusion and Future Plans**

In conclusion, the power outages caused by Hurricane Milton have presented significant challenges for utility companies in Florida. However, through concerted efforts and dedicated work, companies like Duke Energy Florida and TECO are making progress in restoring power to affected areas.

As the recovery process continues, it is essential for residents to remain vigilant about safety precautions during outages. By staying informed through updates from utility companies and following safety guidelines, Floridians can navigate this difficult period more effectively.

For more information on power outages and restoration efforts, visit Duke Energy's News Center or check the USA Today power outage map.

Learn More at Direct Post