Around two million residents in Florida are currently without electricity following the arrival of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night, just weeks after Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage.

As of 11 p.m. ET Wednesday, the YSL News power outage tracker reported over 1.901 million outages across the state.

In particular, Pinellas County has seen more than 380,000 homes and businesses lose power, while Sarasota County has over 247,000 outages. Additionally, there are more than 172,000 outages in Manatee County and about 272,000 in Hillsborough County.

You can monitor the most recent outage statistics by county through the map embedded below.

“With Hurricane Milton approaching Florida’s western coastline, Duke Energy Florida is urging its customers to take necessary preparations for this severe storm and the prolonged power restoration process that could lead to extended outages,” stated Duke Energy on its website, which serves 8.4 million customers in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

On Monday, the company announced plans to deploy around 10,000 workers in anticipation of significant power outages, possibly exceeding a million. Similarly, Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) has prepared a team of 14,500 to manage power outages following the storm.

“Considering the current forecast, Hurricane Milton is set to impact densely populated regions within our service area,” stated Todd Fountain, storm director at Duke Energy Florida. “Despite recent improvements to the system and careful tree trimming, the strong winds and flooding are likely to result in power outages. Customers should prepare for considerable damage and expect prolonged outages.”

Power Outage Map for Florida

Areas throughout Florida may experience hurricane-force winds and tropical storm winds, according to Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. This implies that regions not directly in the storm’s line could still face power outages.

“Due to the size of Milton, its effects will extend broadly across the state,” FPL remarked.

Safety Measures During and After the Storm

• Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through floodwaters. There’s a risk of infection, and you cannot tell if there’s a downed power line lurking beneath. Turn back and find another route.
• If floodwaters threaten your property or if you need to evacuate, switch off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
• Keep a safe distance from any downed or sagging power lines. Assume all power lines you see are live. Report any downed lines to 911 and your local utility company while staying at least 35 feet away from them and anything they’re touching.
• If a power line falls on your vehicle while you’re inside, remain in the car and call for help. If you must exit due to fire or flooding, jump out and land with both feet, ensuring you do not touch the car and the ground simultaneously.
• Never handle a circuit breaker or change a fuse while on a wet surface. If a circuit breaker has tripped, consult an electrician to assess it before resetting.
• Avoid using any electrical devices or electronics that have been exposed to water. Have a qualified electrician inspect the electrical system.

Preparing for a Power Outage

• Review your electrically powered items and ensure you have batteries or alternative power solutions for each. Fully charge any portable chargers or power banks.
• Discuss with your medical provider about any electrical medical devices you use and determine the best actions to take. Inquire about any refrigerated medications and their stability at higher temperatures.
• Ensure you have sufficient non-perishable food and water. Keep your freezer and refrigerator doors shut; a refrigerator typically keeps food cold for about four hours, while a full freezer can maintain its temperature for around 48 hours. Utilize coolers with ice if necessary.
• Unplug unnecessary appliances or electronics in your home, including internet modems and cable units, to prevent issues with power spikes upon restoration.
• Do not deactivate any utilities unless you believe there’s damage or local authorities advise you to do so.

How to Report or Check Power Outages

For information, consult your utility bill for contact details. Here are some common utility companies in Florida:

• Beaches Energy: Call 904-247-6241.
• Central Florida Electric Cooperative: Call (800) 227-1302, report online, or through the CFEC Power Partner app. Check the outages map here.
• Clay Electric Cooperative: Call 1-888-434-9844. View outages map.
• Duke Energy: Click here, use the app, or call 800-228-8485, view outages map.
• Florida Power & Light: Report it online or via the app, or find your local number on your utility bill. View outages map.
• Fort Pierce Utilities Authority: Call (772) 466-7703.
• Jackson Energy Authority: Call 731-422-7500 or report online. View outages map.
• Lakeland Electric: Call (863) 834-4248, report online, or check the outages map.
• New Smyrna Beach Utilities: Call 386-427-1361, report online, or check the outages map.
• Orlando Utilities Commission: Call 407-423-9018, text OUT to 69682, or log in to report online. View outages map.
• Peace River Electric Cooperative: Call 800-282-3824, report online or via the app, or text PRECO to 800-282-3824. Check 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: Call (352) 793 -3801 or report online. View outage map.
• Talquin Electric: Sign up here for text alerts and outage reporting via text, check outage alerts.
• TECO Energy Tampa Electric:
  • Tampa Electric: For assistance, call (813) 223-0800 or toll-free at 1-888-223-0800, or access your account online. View the outages map.
  • West Florida Electric: Reach out by calling 1-844-688-2431 or texting 1-800-342-7400. Access the outages map.
  • Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative: Contact them at 352-567-5133, report issues online, or via their app.

  Who is prioritized during outages?

  When power outages occur, teams will begin restoration efforts as soon as it is safe. However, challenges may arise from the remnants of Hurricane Helene.

  The focus of power restoration is to restore service to as many customers as possible as quickly as feasible. According to FPL, restoration priorities include:

  • Power plants and any damaged lines and substations
  • Essential facilities such as hospitals, fire and police stations, communication centers, water treatment plants, and transportation services
  • Main roads serving supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, and other vital community services.
  • Smaller areas and neighborhoods