Florida Power & Light (FPL) has adjusted its initial power restoration forecast from 95% to 85% for Monday, October 12, after evaluating the hurricane damage in northwest Florida, which turned out to be more severe than first thought.
In a statement, FPL indicated that the hardest-hit areas in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will have to wait until Tuesday, October 13, for power restoration. Crews are actively working to repair power lines and poles that were damaged by fallen trees.
As of Sunday, October 11, FPL announced that over 70% of the 435,000 customers who experienced outages due to Hurricane Isaias had their power restored by 10:00 p.m. Central Time.
Power Restoration Timeline
FPL has established a new recovery schedule that differentiates between counties where power is nearly fully restored and those requiring extensive repairs.
In Bay, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, and Walton counties, power was almost entirely restored by Sunday, October 11, except for properties that cannot safely receive electricity due to damage to their installations.
In Okaloosa County, the company plans to have nearly all reconnections completed by the end of Monday, October 12.
For Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, most affected customers are expected to regain power during Monday. However, areas with significant damage in these counties are now projected to have power restored by Tuesday, October 13.
FPL also aims to ensure that all schools, hospitals, and other critical facilities affected will have power restored by the end of Monday.
Reasons Behind the Changed Forecast
The adjustment from 95% to 85% was due to post-hurricane inspections revealing more extensive damage, particularly where large trees fell onto distribution lines. FPL President and CEO Scott Bores acknowledged that the damage was more severe and widespread than anticipated. Crews also encountered broken or tilted power poles requiring complex repairs.
These issues necessitated revising the original timeline, which aimed to restore 95% of affected customers by the end of Monday. The new 85% forecast applies solely to FPL customers impacted by Isaias, not to all electricity users in Florida.
FPL has deployed nearly 17,000 workers from 29 states and is using drones and helicopters to inspect the damaged infrastructure and identify areas needing intervention.
Guidance for Customers Without Power
Customers still without power can use FPL's Power Tracker to access outage information and restoration estimates, although timelines may change if additional damage is discovered during repairs.
FPL has set up 15 customer assistance points in the region, providing water, ice, and recovery-related information.
Some homes and businesses might remain without electricity even after the distribution network is repaired. This occurs when their electrical systems are damaged and need fixing before a safe reconnection can be made.
Eligible customers can apply for financial assistance through the Care to Share program to help cover the cost of necessary electrical equipment repairs. More information is available on FPL.com/assistance.
FPL advises staying clear of downed power lines, flooded areas, and debris. In case of dangerous situations, such as downed lines or sparking equipment, residents should call 911 or contact FPL at 1-800-468-8243.
FAQs on Power Restoration in Florida
Why did FPL change its power restoration forecast?
FPL revised its forecast from 95% to 85% due to inspections revealing more extensive damage than initially estimated, particularly from large trees falling on distribution lines.
How can customers get updates on power restoration?
Customers can use FPL's Power Tracker for updates on outages and restoration estimates, although these may change if further damage is discovered.
What assistance is available for those without power?
FPL provides 15 customer assistance points offering water, ice, and recovery information. Eligible customers can also apply for financial help through the Care to Share program.