/content/fplgp/us/en/northwest/reliability/storm-secure-underground-program.html

FPL’s Storm Secure Underground Program, launched in 2018, is one of the ways we’re continuously working to enhance the reliability of service to our customers in good weather and bad. The program replaces overhead neighborhood power lines with underground lines to improve resiliency during hurricanes and severe weather and also enhance reliability during day-to-day conditions.

After the historic hurricane seasons of 2004-05, when seven hurricanes affected our customers, FPL began making significant investments to strengthen our electric system and make the grid more resilient to severe weather. When Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, our hardening efforts helped significantly reduce damage to the grid and speed restoration for our customers. Still, we saw that the number one cause of outages during Irma was debris blowing into and trees falling onto our power lines.

The Storm Secure Underground Program analyzes data from past hurricanes, vegetation-related service interruptions and other reliability metrics to identify areas that would most benefit from having power lines placed underground.

We’ve completed hundreds of these neighborhood projects throughout our service area – and we plan to continue bringing the benefits of undergrounding to more of our customers in the years ahead.

In the News

Gulfshore Business – Weighing the costs, benefits of buring power lines in SWFL (Aug. 2, 2022)

WINK News – FPL working to bury power lines to protect them against strong storms (July 27, 2022)

WPTV Channel 5 – FPL installing underground power lines (May 28, 2022)

Miami’s Community Newspapers – Flickering lights in Pinecrest … a solution (April 12, 2022)

Charlotte Sun - FPL putting power lines underground in North Port, Charlotte (March 12, 2022)

Northwest Florida Daily News - FPL completes first project to replace overhead power lines in Northwest Florida (Jan. 16, 2022)

WKRG News 5 This Morning - FPL putting power lines underground in Pensacola area (Oct. 21, 2021)

Pensacola News Journal - Myrtle Grove is first in Gulf Power pilot program to bury power lines (Oct. 20, 2021)

Suncoast News Network – FPL demonstrates underground power line installation (July 1, 2021)

WFTS Action News – FPL installing underground power lines in Sarasota (July 1, 2021)

TCPalm – FPL eyes reliability in picking Sebastian for largest conversion to underground power lines (June 24, 2021)

WPTV Channel 5 – FPL installs underground power lines in Tequesta (April 29, 2021)

Florida Today -- FPL statewide pilot program strengthens grid with underground lines in Palm Bay (Nov. 4, 2020)

Spectrum News 13 – Preparing for storms with underground power lines (Oct. 27, 2020)

Miami’s Community Newspapers – FPL customers benefit from underground power lines in pilot project (Oct. 26, 2020)

WFOR Channel 4 – Cutting down on power outages (Oct. 22, 2020)

Telemundo51 – Programa piloto de FPL para soterrar cables eléctricos en Miami Dade (Oct. 22, 2020)

WINK News – Moving power lines underground (Oct. 14, 2020)

WQCS 88.9 FM – Eliminating overhead electrical lines: FPL’s Storm Secure Underground Program underway (Nov. 19, 2019)

TCPalm – FPL to install underground power lines along Treasure Coast, breaks ground in Jensen Beach (Nov. 7, 2019)

WSVN 7 News Miami – FPL installs underground power lines in Hialeah neighborhood (Nov. 6, 2019)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Storm Secure Underground Program

When and where will this program take place?

The program will take place throughout the regions we serve. We are communicating directly with customers who have been selected to participate in the project.

How is FPL considering power lines to be placed underground?

The company has used several criteria to determine the location of these projects, including power lines' performance during Hurricanes Matthew and/or Irma, outages on power lines due to vegetation issues and performance of power lines during day-to-day operations.

Why was one part of a neighborhood picked over another?

Each project needs to meet our criteria. FPL has selected projects located throughout its service area to obtain a better understanding of regional differences and issues.

How will this impact my property if I am part of the project?

In most cases, FPL or its approved contractors will use low-impact drilling equipment, which minimizes disruption to your property. Once construction is complete, we pledge to restore your property to its pre-construction condition.

Are customers paying more for the program?

There are no out-of-pocket upfront costs required to participate in the program. Project costs are covered by the Storm Protection Plan Cost Recovery Clause paid by all customers. 

More Information on Storm Secure Underground Program

Improving Through Undergrounding – English and Spanish

Directional Boring – English and  Spanish

Junction Box Adapter – English and  Spanish

Typical Underground Equipment –  English and Spanish

Protecting Your Trees – English and Spanish

Equipment for Special Circumstances -  English and  Spanish

Understanding Easements - English and  Spanish

Storm Secure Logo

Contact StormSecureUndergroundProgram@fpl.com if you have further questions on the Storm Secure Underground Program.