Florida Power & Light (FPL) has restored electricity to over 90% of customers affected by Hurricane Milton, bringing critical relief to the region. The company is also on schedule to restore power to all schools impacted by the storm by the end of the day, aiding the community in returning to normalcy. To assist those in the most severely hit areas, FPL has established customer relief sites offering ice, water, and answers to restoration-related questions. Their teams continue working tirelessly around the clock and are committed to restoring power to every customer.
It’s important to note that some homes and businesses may have suffered damage that prevents safe reconnection to the grid. These customers will need to hire a licensed electrician to make necessary repairs before FPL can safely restore service.
Current Progress (as of 5 p.m.):
- More than 1.8 million customers restored, over 90% of those impacted by the hurricane.
- Approximately 166,000 customers remain without power.
- Smart grid technology has prevented thousands of outages.
- A restoration workforce of 20,000 from 41 states and Canada is working 24/7.
- 25 staging and parking sites have been set up.
- 25 customer relief locations across the state.
FPL remains focused on providing updated estimates for power restoration, ensuring customers are informed and supported as work continues.
A word from FPL President and CEO Armando Pimentel: “While we have hit our target of restoring power to more than 90% of our customers affected by Milton, we are not done yet. We have brought in the expected restoration times, and our crews will continue to work around the clock until every one of the remaining 166,000 customers is restored. We are also focused on restoring power to all impacted schools by the end of the day today to help Florida families get their lives back on track. FPL is determined to get the job done safely and as quickly as possible.”
Restoration challenges: Hurricane Milton was a powerful storm with significant impacts across the state that crews are contending with while working around the clock to restore power.
- Across the state, communities are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the lingering effects of previous storms which amplified Milton’s impact.
- The west coast experienced storm surge and flooding, which closed roads and left many areas inaccessible to crews, delaying damage assessments and restoration efforts. Powerful tornadoes and significant debris also caused substantial damage.
- The east coast experienced severe tornadic activity with devastating impacts to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. The National Weather Service recorded 38 reports of tornadoes. These tornadoes, which were unusually powerful compared to tornadoes typically seen in hurricanes, ripped through communities, causing significant damage and leaving tens of thousands without power.
What customers should do after the storm:
- Safety is FPL’s top priority for its crews and customers. Customers should continue to heed warnings from local emergency officials.
- Use extreme caution while driving. Power interruptions may cause traffic signals to stop working without warning. If you come to an intersection with a non-working traffic signal, Florida law requires that you treat it as a four-way stop.
- If you are using a portable generator, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper use. Never operate a generator inside your home or garage.
- Stay far away from downed power lines, flooding and debris; assume that lines are energized.
- If customers have an emergency, call 911.
- Customers can report a downed power line or sparking electrical equipment to FPL by calling 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)
