ST.
PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Florida continues to prepare for
Hurricane Milton, increasing its resource count from 10,000 to
16,000. The company also encourages its 2 million customers across
the state to take the appropriate safety measures prior to the
storm's landfall.
"Hurricane Milton's intensity is expected to be unlike anything
the Tampa Bay area has ever
experienced before," said Todd Fountain, Duke Energy Florida
storm director. "Duke Energy Florida is preparing to respond
accordingly – with an army of resources at the ready – and we
strongly advise our customers to use this time to protect their
homes and businesses, while helping ensure their family members,
friends and neighbors are safe."
Duke Energy is convening 16,000 power line technicians,
vegetation workers, damage assessors and support personnel at
The Villages, Suwannee Valley
Farmers Market and Richie Brothers Auction. These staging sites are
positioned along the outside of Hurricane Milton's projected path,
but as close to the impacted areas as possible. Crews are prepared
to start safe power restoration as soon as weather and other
conditions allow.
Below are important safety tips for customers:
- Have a plan to move yourself and your family – especially those
with special needs.
- Find out where the nearest shelter is located and the routes to
get there.
- Make arrangements for pets; emergency shelters may not let you
bring your animals with you.
- Fill your automobile(s) with gas or ensure your electric
vehicle is charged.
- Have a portable radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio on hand to
monitor the storm's latest developments.
- Ensure all your electronic and devices are fully charged.
- Get cash or travelers checks in case banks or ATMs are not
operational.
- Gather important documentation and place in waterproof
container.
- If you have an emergency power source, such as a generator,
learn how to use it properly.
To report a power outage, text OUT to 57801, call 800.228.8485
or report online or through the mobile app. For more safety tips,
please visit duke-energy.com/StormTips.
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