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Companies Complete Power Restoration in Areas Hit by Hurricane Frances

--Governor Bush heralds round-the-clock efforts to return power—

TALLAHASSEE – Less than two weeks after Hurricane Frances tore across Florida, power isfully restored to the more than 3.4 million customers affected by the storm. Even as companies were completing restoration from the second of three devastating hurricanes, technicians began repairing services for close to a half million customers that sustained electric outages along Florida’s panhandle during Hurricane Ivan.

“I am grateful to Florida’s utility companies for their partnership with recovery efforts over the last month, and their continued commitment as we begin restoring services to those impacted by Ivan,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “We must now provide our communities in the panhandle with undivided support and assistance as Florida continues rebuilding.”

After enduring a three-day storm the size of Texas, thousands of power crews from public and private utilities worked around the clock to restore power across 62 counties. More than 18,000 power line crew members were dispatched from across the southeast to aid in power restoration following Hurricane Frances. Just three days after the storm, 75 percent of residents had power restored despite widespread outages.

“Floridians have demonstrated patience and understanding under extremely challenging conditions,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Our ability to work together and quickly return power to our communities after back-to-back hurricanes is testament to the unwavering determination of our residents, businesses and emergency responders.”

Power outages affected three private utilities along with municipalities and cooperatives serving counties and cities throughout most of the state. With 2.8 million customers out of service, Florida Power and Light dispatched 16,000 crew members to repair downed power lines, including 7,000 technicians from 38 out-of-state utilities. Two weeks after the storm, power was restored to all homes and businesses with the capacity to receive power.

Progress Energy mobilized thousands of line crews, tree crews and support staff who restored power to more than 800,000 customers within nine days. TECO announced that all damaged circuits were repaired and power restored to customers with known power outages within eight days after the hurricane.

Companies are now focusing efforts on restoring power across 13 counties affected by Hurricane Ivan, where more than 443,000 customers were left without service. As work continues in the northwest, State official advise taking the following safety precautions:

• Avoid downed power lines or objects nearby.
• Avoid walking or driving through standing water.
• Follow all directions when operating an emergency generator.
• Do not turn power on in your home if the area is flooded.