Duke Energy Florida has successfully restored power to 90% of its customers within 24 hours of Hurricane Debby’s landfall in the Big Bend. The company’s crews are continuing their dedicated efforts to restore power to the remaining areas most affected by the storm, with a commitment to ensuring every customer is back online.
The company expects to have power restored to 95% of customers in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, and Sumter counties by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. However, many customers will experience a restoration of service before this deadline.
Hurricane Debby caused significant disruption with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and extensive flooding across Florida. In response, Duke Energy has deployed additional crews to focus on the hardest-hit areas that need extra attention.
The projected restoration time for the remaining 5% of customers in these severely impacted regions is now set for 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. The affected counties include:
- Alachua
- Columbia
- Dixie
- Gilchrist
- Hamilton
- Jefferson
- Lafayette
- Madison
- Suwannee
- Taylor
- Wakulla
Duke Energy is collaborating closely with neighboring utilities, cooperatives, and municipalities served by its transmission lines and substations to synchronize restoration efforts and provide accurate estimates.
Handling Flood and Meter Box Damage
Customers with flood-damaged homes or businesses should be aware that Duke Energy cannot reconnect power until a licensed electrician inspects the electrical system. If damage is found, repairs must be made, and verification from local building authorities is required before service can be restored.
For customers whose meter boxes are detached or damaged, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to contact an electrician to reattach or repair the meter box. In some cases, a county inspection may be necessary before Duke Energy can restore service. Electricians can guide customers through these requirements.
Safety Reminders
Duke Energy urges everyone to avoid downed or sagging power lines and treat all such lines as live and dangerous. If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside until help arrives. If you must exit due to an emergency, jump clear of the vehicle with both feet landing together and avoid touching the vehicle and the ground simultaneously.
Generator Safety
Customers using generators should be cautious and turn off their generators when utility crews are working nearby. Generators can feed excess electricity back onto power lines, posing a risk to line technicians who might believe the lines are de-energized.
For further updates, customers can sign up for phone and email alerts, text REG to 57801 for text alerts, bookmark the outage map, and download the mobile app.
