FMEA Statement Regarding Preparation Update for Hurricane Milton

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

“The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) and public power communities across Florida are preparing for Hurricane Milton, anticipated to make landfall late Wednesday into Thursday morning along the west coast. As one of the strongest storms in recorded history, Milton is expected to hit as a major hurricane, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, and flooding. Milton is forecast to maintain hurricane strength as it travels across the peninsula and exits the east coast.

We have mobilized a restoration workforce that has grown to more than 2,500 personnel from 22 states, including Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. Crews comprised of damage assessors, line technicians, vegetation crews and support are pre-staged near affected areas to assess storm damage and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Crews across Florida’s public power communities will work throughout the day and night to restore outages as long as conditions permit, and they will resume restoration efforts as soon as it is safe to do so. While Florida public power utilities are prepared, customers across the state should prepare for extended power outages.

We urge all Floridians to heed the guidance of local emergency management officials. To ensure the safety of restoration crews, disconnect any nonessential electrical equipment to avoid overloading circuits.  Residents should also familiarize themselves with safe generator operation to ensure the safety of those in the home and utility personnel. Stay away from downed power lines and report downed lines directly to your local electric utility.”