As damage assessments continue, Duke Energy Florida has begun restoring power to many areas impacted by Hurricane Milton. As of 9 a.m. ET, approximately 350,000 customers had their power restored, while over 850,000 customers still remained without service across the company’s service territory. Estimated restoration times for all customers will be released this afternoon.
“Hurricane Milton has caused significant damage to our infrastructure, from fallen trees and limbs on power lines to equipment flooded by storm surge, which leads to immediate corrosion,” said Todd Fountain, storm director for Duke Energy Florida. “We are making repairs where possible, but we anticipate that many areas will require rebuilding. Our crews are working tirelessly, including overnight, to restore power as quickly as possible.”
Duke Energy Florida has deployed 16,000 workers to assist with power restoration, stationed at base camps in the hardest-hit areas, 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
- The Villages
The company has also issued safety tips for customers using generators:
- Only operate generators outdoors and connect appliances directly to them.
- Do not connect the generator to the circuit breaker box to avoid back-feeding electrical wires.
- Be alert for power company personnel and turn off the generator when they arrive, as electrical loads can be dangerous for repair crews.
- Always keep a charged fire extinguisher suitable for electrical and gas fires nearby.
Customers can report power outages in four ways:
- Through the Duke Energy website via desktop or mobile device.
- Using the Duke Energy mobile app, available on the Apple Store or Google Play.
- By sending a text message with “OUT” to 57801 (standard text charges may apply).
- Calling the automated power outage reporting system at 800.228.8485.
Customers unable to energize their infrastructure due to damage to the meter base, circuit breaker panel, or electrical wiring should contact local municipalities for guidance, as inspections may be necessary after repairs.
