{"id":50903,"date":"2024-10-13T15:45:13","date_gmt":"2024-10-13T19:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=50903"},"modified":"2024-10-13T15:45:38","modified_gmt":"2024-10-13T19:45:38","slug":"lakeland-hurricane-milton-update-oct-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2024\/10\/13\/lakeland-hurricane-milton-update-oct-13\/","title":{"rendered":"LAKELAND HURRICANE MILTON UPDATE – OCT. 13"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gas is starting to be delivered from the port of Tampa, and we should see normal operations as the week progresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the peak Lakeland Electric had approximately 85,000 customers without power.  As of this morning that number is down to 12,000, bringing 90% of Lakeland Electric\u2019s customers back online since Hurricane Milton passed over Polk County. As restoration efforts progress, the outages are becoming increasingly challenging and time-consuming. Lakeland Electric is transitioning from repairing outages that restore power to thousands at a time to hundreds at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers with damaged electrical equipment like a weather head or those in the heavily flooded areas may not get power until the floodwaters recede or damaged equipment undergoes assessment and repair by a qualified electrician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lakeland Electric estimates power will be restored Friday, October 18 to all customers that are able to safely receive power.\u00a0 Detailed estimation times are now available on the Lakeland Electric outage map\u00a0by zone.\u00a0Customers can go to Lakelandelectic.com\/outagemap and click the zone in the navigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lakeland Electric reports that all Combee Settlement will be restored on Tuesday, October 15. Please call Customer Service at 863-834-9535 to report electric emergencies and downed lines.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lakeland Electric has over 600 personnel helping restore power.  This includes more than 500 mutual aid personnel from Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Alabama, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some areas around Lakeland that were hit very hard with flooding.  The Lakeland area experienced over 12 inches of rain in 24 hours taxing the City\u2019s stormwater system.  All area lakes are flooded, and it is very difficult to alleviate flood conditions and lower lake levels. Most of the drainage lakes, tributaries and rivers have high levels and that is not helping flood situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The City of Lakeland asks residents, to reduce the use of water – only use toilets, laundry, and other water, as absolutely necessary.  All used water going down the drain impacts the wastewater process in moving water through the system. Be careful and when approaching standing water, do so with extreme caution because not all water is stormwater. Refrain from recreational contact in and around water bodies. Many of these systems have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Milton with high water levels, potential contamination and submerged structures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurricane Milton caused several water main breaks, and the City\u2019s Water Department continues to work on the water system. There is a growing list of boil water notices in place.  Go to lakelandgov.net\/boilwaternotices<\/a> for the latest updates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the traffic signals are back online but we have a few without power.  Please be cautious on the streets and treat signalized intersections like a four-way stop.  Verizon has reported they have recovered some of their cell towers so coverage should start getting better.<\/p>\n\n\n \n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n