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Release: Update on Public Power Outages

Friday, September 15, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2017

CONTACT: Jennifer Fennell
(850) 597-0057
jennifer@coremessage.com

UPDATED MUNICIPAL POWER OUTAGE ESTIMATES: Approximately 141,000 Municipal Electric Utility Customers Without Power Following Hurricane Irma Down From 800,000; 659,000 Customers Restored  

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) reports that 141,000 municipal utility customers remain without power, which is approximately 10 percent of the state’s total municipal electric utility customers. More than 659,000 municipal electric utility customers have had their power restored.

Crews are working tirelessly across the state to restore power to as many people as possible and as quickly as possible. As crews fully restore power in one area, they will reassign personnel and resources to other areas still experiencing outages.

“The response to our nationwide call for mutual aid assistance has been tremendous. More than 1,000 public power crews from nearly half the states in the nation came to Florida’s aid,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “We also appreciate the support of our national partner, the American Public Power Association, which helped coordinate this massive response effort.”

As of 9 a.m., FMEA reported the following county-by-county power outage information for its municipal utility members:

County Number of Customers Current Number Out % of Total
Alachua 100,626 3,662 4%
Bradford 2,685 75 3%
Clay 13,883 928 7%
Duval 449,815 56,352 13%
Glades 912 50 5%
Hendry 4,272 140 3%
Indian River 35,030 375 1%
Lake 27,706 640 2%
Leon 117,253 32 0%
Marion 49,955 9,090 18%
Miami-Dade 23,086 4,870 21%
Monroe 31,183 25,000 80%
Orange 211,091 15,357 7%
Osceola 103,742 805 1%
Palm Beach 27,847 7,814 28%
Polk 139,134 14,307 10%
St. Johns 43,969 686 2%
St. Lucie 27,630 492 2%

FMEA will provide additional power outage and restoration information as it becomes available.

It is important for residents to remember that there is still danger days after a storm. Downed power lines pose a significant threat. The FMEA reminds residents of these important safety precautions:

  • Never, ever touch a downed power line or go near one. Always assume the power line is live.
  • Do not touch anything or anyone in contact with a fallen power line or other equipment.
  • If a power line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle and call for help.
  • Do not pull tree limbs off power lines. Leave those for utility crews to safely handle.
  • Avoid areas with debris and downed trees. There could be live power lines hidden inside.
  • Also avoid chain link fences and puddles that could have become electrified by downed power lines.

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 34 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.

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