- Company meteorologists continue tracking the storm
ST.
PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 7, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Florida is mobilizing approximately
10,000 responders as it prepares for more than 1 million power
outages associated with damage from Hurricane Milton.
The National Hurricane Center expects Milton to strengthen to a Category 4
hurricane. There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge for the
west coast of Florida, strong
winds and heavy rainfall that will affect the area well ahead
of the storm.
The impact of a major hurricane could result in widespread
equipment damage causing extended outage durations for our
customers. Hurricane Milton is expected to damage homes and
businesses making structures unsafe to re-energize.
"Based on the current track, Hurricane Milton will impact the
most populated areas of our service territory," said Todd
Fountain, Duke Energy Florida storm director." Despite extensive
system improvements and rigorous tree trimming, the strong winds
and flooding will cause power outages. Customers should expect
significant damage and make immediate preparations for extended
power outage durations."
Duke Energy is sending crews from Duke Energy's Midwest
operations in Kentucky,
Ohio and Indiana.
Responders include power line technicians, vegetation workers,
damage assessors and support personnel.
Trucks will begin arriving at The
Villages, Suwannee Valley Farmers Market and Richie Brothers
Auction tomorrow. Staging locations are positioned along the
outside of Milton's projected
path, but as close to the impacted areas as possible. Crews are
prepared to start power restoration as soon as weather conditions
allow.
Once conditions are safe for travel, workers will be deployed
immediately to make repairs and restore electric service as safely
and quickly as possible.
Duke Energy meteorologists continue to monitor the movement of
Hurricane Milton and are developing up-to-the-minute forecasts to
help the company plan and prepare.
Safety information
Duke Energy encourages customers to have a plan in place to
respond to an extended power outage after a hurricane or other
severe weather. Below are some tips:
Flooding and electrical safety
- If rising water threatens your home – or if you evacuate your
home – turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse
box.
- Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from
downed power lines and electrical wires. Don't drive over – and
don't stand near – downed power lines.
- Never replace a fuse or touch a circuit breaker with wet hands,
or while standing on a wet or damp surface.
- Those who cannot receive power due to damage to the property's
meter base, breaker panel or customer-owned electrical wiring
should contact their local municipalities for guidance. Inspections
may be required after repairs are complete.
For more tips on how to prepare for storm season, and how Duke
Energy can help, please visit duke-energy.com/StormTips.
Outage reporting
Before the storm hits, customers should contact us to make sure
their contact information is up to date and their communication
preferences are noted, so they receive proactive outreach on the
status on a power outage they may experience.
Customers who experience an outage during a storm can report it
the following ways:
- Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile
device.
- Use the Duke Energy mobile app – Download the Duke Energy app
from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play.
- Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may
apply).
- Call the automated outage reporting system at
800.228.8485.
There is also an interactive outage map where
customers can find up-to-date information on power outages,
including the total number of outages systemwide and estimated
times of restoration.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary
of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying
electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial
customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in
Florida.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150
company headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies.
The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities
serve 1.7 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition,
keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the
forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions
from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions
from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in
major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including
expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and
nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the
Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn,
Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about
the people and innovations powering our energy
transition.
Contact: Ana Gibbs
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy