FMEA Statement Regarding Preparation for Hurricane Milton

STATEMENT BY:
Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) is continuing to actively monitor Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5 storm, for anticipated impacts to Florida’s public power communities. According to the current forecast track, Hurricane Milton will track along some of the most populated public power communities. Twenty five of our 33 municipal member utilities collectively serving more than 1.3 million customers are currently preparing for potential impacts from Hurricane Milton. The storm is expected to bring damaging winds, heavy rain, and the risk of flooding.

Our mutual aid network, comprised of utilities in Florida and across the United States, is mobilizing to support affected areas. Personnel and assets are set to arrive and pre-stage near impacted areas by tomorrow evening.

We have already secured commitments from more than 50 utilities in 16 states, with more commitments growing our restoration workforce rapidly. Public power utilities from states near and far, including Florida, Alabama, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin, are again gearing up for mutual aid assistance calls to restore power to communities in need.

Florida utilities are working diligently to bring in as many power resources as possible to support efforts following Milton. However, thousands of utility restoration personnel remain in areas of the Southeast still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which could impact or limit resources typically available to support Florida utilities.

While public power utilities work year-round to harden their utility infrastructure against storms and emergencies, the forecasted damages caused by Milton could be extensive. We urge all customers to follow guidance from their local emergency management officials and prepare for possible extended power outages.

Restoration crews — damage assessors, line technicians and vegetation management personnel —will commence safe and efficient power restoration efforts as soon as conditions allow.