September 4, 2004
Slow moving Frances May Delay Restoration
FPL amasses restoration army of 6,000 for post storm work

en espanol

Outage Map

MIAMI , Fla. – Hurricane Frances is expected to impact a great part of FPL’s 27,650 square miles of service territory stretched throughout 35 counties in Florida . Because of the size, intensity, path and slow-moving nature of this storm, customers are being advised to plan and prepare for long, extended electrical service outages. Although FPL has mobilized an extensive restoration workforce, crews may not be able to work in affected areas until the winds subside to below 35 miles per hour, which given the enormous size of Hurricane Frances may last 24 to 36 hours after landfall.

Along with FPL crews and support personnel, the company has already amassed an additional army of more than 6,000 restoration workers from other utilities and contractors throughout the United States . These workers are, at the current moment, traveling towards the Florida - Georgia border where they will be out of harms way. As quickly and safely as possible following the storm, they will enter Florida and be directed to large work centers called staging sites, throughout the eastern coast of Florida and, when the winds subside, will continue restoration activities already started by FPL crews. To make matters more difficult, all of our restoration crews (FPL and others) may have to deal with road obstructions and share the roads with hundreds of thousands of Floridians who evacuated and will be trying to return home. This may further delay FPL’s ability to reach the affected areas for several days.

FPL is asking its customers to remain safe and indoors. Right after the storm, FPL will know if large power lines have been damaged and you’re without power. Please help us keep the phone lines open by only calling FPL if you need to report an emergency such as a downed power line or electrical equipment that is sparking and dangerous. To report a power-related emergency, call 1-800-4OUTAGE. Most importantly, stay far away from downed power lines, flooding and debris during and after the storm. Don’t walk in standing water and don’t venture out in the dark because you might not see a power line that could still be energized and dangerous.

“We at FPL understand how important electrical service is to the communities we serve,” Geisha Williams, vice president of electrical distribution, said. “We have a well-rehearsed restoration plan, we have the crews and supplies ready to go and we are committed to restoring power once Frances is no longer a threat to our communities.”

 Hurricane Frances : September 4, 2004 ( 5:00 p.m. )