As Hurricane Milton nears Florida’s shores, utility companies are bracing for potentially over a million power outages while the state continues to recover from Hurricane Helene.

By 1:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, over 25,000 power outages were already reported, according to the YSL News power outage tracker, with even more expected as Milton gets closer to landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. You can monitor the latest outage updates with the embedded map below.

“Duke Energy Florida encourages customers to prepare for this devastating storm and the prolonged restoration period that will likely result in longer outages,” the company mentioned on its website. This energy provider serves 8.4 million customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

On Monday, Duke Energy shared plans to deploy around 10,000 responders in anticipation of the heavy outages their customers might experience, possibly exceeding one million. In a similar response, Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) has positioned a workforce of 14,500 to respond to power outages following the storm.

“Given the current forecast, Hurricane Milton will severely affect the most populated regions within our service area,” stated Todd Fountain, storm director for Duke Energy Florida. “Despite significant system upgrades and thorough tree maintenance, the fierce winds and flooding will lead to power disruptions. Customers are advised to expect considerable damage and to start making preparations for prolonged power outages.”

Florida Power Outage Map

According to Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, areas in Florida could experience hurricane-force winds and tropical storm winds, which means even regions not directly in Milton’s path may still experience power outages.

“Due to the extensive reach of Milton, significant consequences will be felt statewide,” noted FPL.

Safety Protocols During and Post-Storm

• Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through any floodwaters. Such areas can easily harbor infections, and there may be hidden power lines. Turn back and find another route.
• If floodwaters are rising and threaten your home or business, or in case of evacuation, switch off the power at the circuit breaker or fuse box.
• Stay back from any downed or sagging power lines. Assume every wire in view is live. Report these hazards to 911 and your local utility company, keeping at least 35 feet away from them and anything they may touch.
• If a power line falls onto your vehicle while you’re inside, remain in the vehicle and call for assistance. Only exit the car if it’s on fire or submerged—jump out and land on both feet, ensuring not to touch the vehicle and the ground simultaneously.
• Never touch circuit breakers or replace fuses while standing on wet surfaces. If a circuit breaker is tripped, consult a qualified electrician before resetting.
• Avoid using any submerged electrical equipment or electronics. Have a certified electrician check the electrical system.

Preparing for Power Outages

• Conduct an inventory of essential electric-powered devices and ensure you have batteries or alternative power sources ready for all of them. Charge any portable chargers and power banks.
• Consult your healthcare provider regarding any medical devices that need electricity and how to manage them. Inquire about refrigerated medications and their storage limits during outages.
• Stock up on enough non-perishable food and water. Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed; a refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours, while a full freezer can maintain temperature for around 48 hours. If necessary, use coolers with ice.
• Disconnect any appliances or electronics in your home, including internet routers and TV systems, to prevent issues related to power surges when electricity is restored.
• Only turn off utilities if you suspect damage or if local officials instruct you to do so.

How to Report or Check Power Outages

Refer to your utility bill for contact details. Here are some major power companies in Florida:

• Beaches Energy: Call 904-247-6241.
• Central Florida Electric Cooperative: Call (800) 227-1302 or report online using the CFEC Power Partner app. Check the outages map here.
• Clay Electric Cooperative: Call 1-888-434-9844. View the outages map.
• Duke Energy: Visit their site, use the app, or call 800-228-8485. See the outages map.
• Florida Power & Light: Report outages online or via app, or find your local number on your utility bill. Check the outages map.
• Fort Pierce Utilities Authority: Call (772) 466-7703.
• Jackson Energy Authority: Call 731-422-7500.“`html
  • Lakeland Electric: You can reach them at (863) 834-4248, submit a report online, or view the outages map.
  • New Smyrna Beach Utilities: Call 386-427-1361, report online, or check the outages map.
  • Orlando Utilities Commission: Contact them at 407-423-9018, send a text with the word OUT to 69682, or log in to report online. You can also view the outages map.
  • Peace River Electric Cooperative: Reach out at 800-282-3824, report online or via their app, or text PRECO to 800-282-3824. Don’t forget to check the outage map.
  • City of Tallahassee: Call 850-891-4968 or 711 (TDD), report online at Talgov.com/Outages, or use the DigiTally mobile app.
  • SECO Energy: Dial (352) 793-3801 or report online. Check the outages map while you’re there.
  • Talquin Electric: Sign up for text notifications and report outages via text or check for outages alerts.
  • TECO Energy Tampa Electric: Call (813) 223-0800 or 1-888-223-0800, or log into your account. You can also check the outages map.
  • West Florida Electric: Reach them at 1-844-688-2431 or send a text to 1-800-342-7400. Don’t forget to check the outages map.
  • Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative: Call 352-567-5133, report online, or use their app.

   

  Who gets priority during outages?

  When power outages occur, restoration efforts will begin as soon as it’s safe. However, there might be challenges remaining from Hurricane Helene.

  The goal of power restoration is to restore service to the maximum number of customers quickly. According to FPL, the following are prioritized:

   

  • Power plants, damaged lines, and substations
  • Essential facilities including hospitals, police and fire stations, communication centers, water treatment facilities, and public transportation
  • Main roads that have supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, and other essential community services
  • Smaller groups and local neighborhoods