Hurricane Helene: Voices from the Field
For more hurricane coverage, check out the latest episode of the Line Life Podcast, featuring Duke Energy's response to Hurricane Helene, which hit the southeastern United States just two weeks before Hurricane Milton. Listen at linelife.podbean.com.
After Hurricane Milton hit Florida as a Category 3 storm, Duke Energy Florida conducted damage assessments and began to restore power to the more than 1 million customers without electricity.
“Hurricane Milton barreled through our state with a devastating intensity, leaving behind a trail of destruction that we, and many Floridians, can’t yet fully comprehend," said Todd Fountain, Duke Energy Florida storm director.
Outages decreased from more than 1 million immediately post-storm to about 580,000 as of 12 p.m. ET Oct. 12 and to about 390,000 on Oct. 13.
“It’s only been a few days since Hurricane Milton tore through the state, leaving behind unimaginable destruction and more than a million of our customers without power,” Fountain says. ”While we’ve already made significant restoration progress in that short time, we will not stop until we get the lights back on for all our customers.”
As of 9 a.m. ET Oct. 14, total storm-related outages decreased from more than 1 million to 105,000. Duke Energy Florida completed power restoration for more than 95% of customers in Brevard, Citrus, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties post-Hurricane Milton. This means the company met, and in many cases exceeded, that estimated time of restoration.
Most of the customers who remain without power in Pinellas and Pasco counties are expected to be restored by 11:59 p.m. ET Oct. 15.
“We recognize just how important timely power restoration is to our customers – not only so they can live their day-to-day lives, but also so they can begin the recovery process,” Fountain says. “While we’re proud of the significant progress we’ve made so far, we remain committed to accomplishing our goal of getting the lights back on for all customers who are capable of receiving power by the end of the day tomorrow.”
Customers who experienced extensive damage or flooding may require additional time for restoration and some should be prepared for extended outages. Customers who cannot receive power as a result of damage to the property’s meter base, breaker panel or customer-owned electrical wiring are advised by Duke Energy Florida to contact their local municipalities for guidance. Inspections may be required after repairs are complete.
For more information about Hurricane Milton, stay tuned to T&D World's website and to the Duke Energy website.
