Client News
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.