NextEra Energy Inc.

10/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/13/2024 15:25

FPL restores power to more than 90% of customers impacted by Milton; expects to restore power to all schools by end of day today

The latest: Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has restored power to more than 90% of customers affected by Hurricane Milton. Importantly, FPL is also on track to restore power to all impacted schools by the end of the day today, helping customers get their lives back on track. The company has also set up customer relief sites in some of our hardest hit areas, which provide customers with ice, water and answers to restoration-related questions. Crews continue to work around the clock and will not stop until every customer has their lights back on.

Keep in mind: Some customers' homes and businesses may have sustained damage that makes them unable to safely accept power. They must contact a licensed electrician to make repairs before FPL can safely restore their power.

By the numbers as of 5 p.m.:

  • More than 1.8 million customers restored, that is more than 90% of the customers who were impacted by Milton.
  • About 166,000 customers still without power.
  • Thousands of outages avoided by smart grid technology.
  • Restoration workforce of 20,000 men and women from 41 states and Canada continue to work 24/7.
  • 25 staging and parking sites.
  • 25 customer relief sites across the state.

Restoration update: FPL understands the importance to customers of knowing when power will be restored. The following are the current best estimates for restoration:

Click here to view a map of estimated restoration times.

FPL Estimated Time of Restoration

Status

County

Essentially Restored*

Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Columbia, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Martin, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Suwannee

95% by end of day,
Monday, Oct. 14*

Charlotte, Collier, Indian River, Lee, Volusia

95% by end of day,
Tuesday Oct. 15*

Manatee, Sarasota

*Except those who cannot safely accept service or are located in heavily flooded areas or have experienced extensive tornado damage or storm surge.

A word from FPL President and CEO Armando Pimentel: "While we have hit our target of restoring power to more than 90% of our customers affected by Milton, we are not done yet. We have brought in the expected restoration times, and our crews will continue to work around the clock until every one of the remaining 166,000 customers is restored. We are also focused on restoring power to all impacted schools by the end of the day today to help Florida families get their lives back on track. FPL is determined to get the job done safely and as quickly as possible."

Restoration challenges: Hurricane Milton was a powerful storm with significant impacts across the state that crews are contending with while working around the clock to restore power.

  • Across the state, communities are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the lingering effects of previous storms which amplified Milton's impact.
  • The west coast experienced storm surge and flooding, which closed roads and left many areas inaccessible to crews, delaying damage assessments and restoration efforts. Powerful tornadoes and significant debris also caused substantial damage.
  • The east coast experienced severe tornadic activity with devastating impacts to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. The National Weather Service recorded 38 reports of tornadoes. These tornadoes, which were unusually powerful compared to tornadoes typically seen in hurricanes, ripped through communities, causing significant damage and leaving tens of thousands without power.

What customers should do after the storm:

  • Safety is FPL's top priority for its crews and customers. Customers should continue to heed warnings from local emergency officials.
  • Use extreme caution while driving. Power interruptions may cause traffic signals to stop working without warning. If you come to an intersection with a non-working traffic signal, Florida law requires that you treat it as a four-way stop.
  • If you are using a portable generator, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for proper use. Never operate a generator inside your home or garage.
  • Stay far away from downed power lines, flooding and debris; assume that lines are energized.
  • If customers have an emergency, call 911.
  • Customers can report a downed power line or sparking electrical equipment to FPL by calling 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)

How customers can stay connected: FPL communicates restoration information to customers frequently through the news media and the following resources:

Visuals to download:

How to reach us:

Additional resources: