Lakeland Electric’s restoration update

Today is the third day of Lakeland Electric’s restoration effort. We are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore every customer’s power. In total, we have 450 personnel in the field assisting with the restoration effort. (Lakeland Electric + Mutual Aid.)

• At 4:00 p.m., we are reporting 14,000 customers without power.
  • That’s nearly 80% of our storm-related outage restored.
• We estimate power will be restored to all customers by Monday or Tuesday.

Type of work:

• As we enter the midpoint of our restoration process, the type of work becomes more difficult and slower.
• Our crews are working on six big jobs today, along with smaller restoration work.
• Easement work is continuing; these jobs can take longer to complete because of the constrained working area.
  • Bucket trucks will not fit in these areas, so lineworkers must climb poles or use special equipment to work in these areas.
• We are still clearing debris from affected areas.

Restoration personnel:

• Lakeland Electric has 200 personnel in the field restoring power. [I mistakenly said 150 in this morning’s update.]
• We now have over 250 mutual aid personnel here from Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Alabama, North Carolina, New Jersey and Louisiana to assist with our power restoration effort.

Customer information:

• The Call Center is open and responding to storm-related calls only.
  • Customers are encouraged to report downed poles, downed wires and tree limbs on wires to 863-834-9535.
• Customers can find post-storm tips like generator safety, our restoration process, and what to do if your electric components are damaged. Hurricane Guide.