Power companies provide update on restoration efforts

Florida Power and Light CEO Eric Silagy said 94% of FPL customers in Lee County had their electricity back on. In Charlotte County, he said about 90% of customers had their power on. He hoped to get the next 10% connected before the end of the week.

Silagy spoke during a press conference held on Fort Myers Beach. He said hard-hit areas like Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island would take longer to establish electricity again.

Silagy said power companies are working to reconnect areas that can safely be powered up again.

“We will continue to work around the clock until those last remaining customers who are able to receive power are restored,” Silagy said. “Many buildings are unsafe and need to be inspected before they can actually have the power turned back on.”

Silagy said they cannot turn the power back on on Fort Myers Beach until search and rescue operations are over.

Silagy also said FPL has been worked with the Lee County Electric Cooperative.

“They are working around the clock and their teams are dedicated as much as FPL’s team,” Silagy said. “This is team Florida.”

LCEC, in a press release said, power restoration efforts are are collaboration between state and local agencies and hundreds of personnel.

There are 2,300 line and vegetation crews working to get power back for LCEC customers, the electric cooperative said.

Crews will soon begin restoring power on Pine Island now that Pine Island Road is passable once again.

Once access to Sanibel is possible, crews will begin working to bring power there, too, LCEC said.

Silagy said power companies work with counties before the start of the hurricane season to prioritize who should have their power turned on first.

Power companies concentrate on hospitals, first responders, 911 call centers, etc.

“After that, the goal is very straightforward,” Silagy said. “The maximum amount of people as quick as possible.”

Many condominium buildings along the coast were flooded, which means their first floors are filled with sand and debris.

Those need to get cleaned up and “they have to be made safe and they have to be inspected,” Silagy said.

“Until that occurs, it is not safe for people to move back into their building,” Silagy said.

As soon as the all-clear is given, FPL will reenergize those buildings, he said.

LCEC’s morning update is below.

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	17,493	2,089	19,582
Immokalee	15,600	140	15,740
Carnestown	2,814	425	3,239
Lehigh Acres	32,872	254	33,126
North Fort Myers	25,903	30,376	56,279
Cape Coral	25,758	68,518	94,276
Pine Island	0	7,398	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946	10,946
	120,440	101,802	222,242
	54%	46%