Duke Energy Florida prepares for more than 1 million power outages; mobilizes approximately 10,000 resources

Core Insights - Duke Energy Florida is mobilizing approximately 10,000 responders in anticipation of over 1 million power outages due to Hurricane Milton [1][2] - The National Hurricane Center predicts Hurricane Milton will strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane, posing risks of life-threatening storm surges, strong winds, and heavy rainfall [2] - Significant damage to homes and businesses is expected, making structures unsafe for re-energization [2][3] Company Preparedness - Duke Energy Florida's storm director emphasizes that despite system improvements, power outages are anticipated due to strong winds and flooding [3] - Crews from Duke Energy's Midwest operations are being deployed to assist in restoration efforts [3][4] - Responders include power line technicians, vegetation workers, damage assessors, and support personnel, with staging locations set up near the projected path of the hurricane [4] Restoration Efforts - Workers will be deployed immediately to restore electric service as soon as conditions are safe [5] - Duke Energy meteorologists are continuously monitoring Hurricane Milton to provide up-to-date forecasts for planning and preparation [5] Customer Safety and Communication - Duke Energy advises customers to prepare for extended power outages and provides safety tips related to flooding and electrical safety [6] - Customers are encouraged to update their contact information for proactive communication regarding power outages [8] - An interactive outage map is available for customers to track power outages and estimated restoration times [9] Company Overview - Duke Energy Florida owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, serving 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area [10] - Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, serves 8.4 million customers across multiple states and owns a total of 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity [11] - The company is committed to a clean energy transition, aiming for net-zero methane emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 [12]