Hurricane Milton leaves at least 14 dead in Florida as millions left without power in storm’s aftermath: Live updates
Hurricane Milton has caused significant devastation in Florida, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and leaving over 3 million residents without power. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Sarasota, bringing heavy rains and flooding, particularly in St. Petersburg, where nearly 19 inches of rain fell124. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with over 340 individuals saved from dangerous situations3. Governor DeSantis commended the resilience of Floridians as recovery efforts continue statewide56.
How long will it take to restore power to all areas affected by Hurricane Milton
Restoration of power in areas affected by Hurricane Milton is expected to take multiple days. As of now, about 1.1 million customers remain without power, with efforts focused on essential services first. SECO Energy and Florida Power & Light (FPL) are deploying thousands of workers to expedite recovery, but challenges like downed lines and flooding persist124. Duke Energy plans to provide estimated restoration times by Friday afternoon but warns that extensive damage may lead to extended outages for some customers34.
What areas are being prioritized for power restoration
Power restoration efforts following Hurricane Milton prioritize several key areas:
- Essential Services: Hospitals, emergency services, and communication facilities are first to be restored to ensure public safety.
- Supermarkets and Home-Supply Stores: These businesses are prioritized next to support community needs.
- Large Residential Areas: Crews then focus on restoring power to neighborhoods with the highest number of customers affected.
- Individual Residences: Finally, single homes and smaller groups of customers are addressed last134.
Restoration crews are working around the clock to expedite these efforts.
How are hospitals and emergency service agencies being prioritized for power restoration
Hospitals and emergency service agencies are prioritized for power restoration due to their critical role in public safety and health. Utility companies focus on:
- Restoring Essential Functions: Power is restored first to hospitals, police, fire departments, and emergency communication facilities to ensure they can operate effectively during crises12.
- Clearing Hazards: Crews first address downed lines and other hazards near these facilities to secure the area before restoration begins25.
- Coordinated Efforts: Emergency preparedness plans often include collaboration between utilities and healthcare facilities to expedite restoration and ensure backup power systems are operational34.
This prioritization helps maintain essential services during disasters.
