More than 5,000 responders mobilized as Duke Energy Florida braces for Hurricane Idalia

• Customers should prepare now for possible power outages
• Crews assembled from around the state, Southeast and Midwest
• Repairs will begin as soon as weather conditions allow

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy has mobilized over 5,000 responders as the company prepares for power outages caused by fast-approaching Hurricane Idalia.

The storm is expected to reach the Florida Gulf Coast by late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

"Duke Energy crews and additional workers from across the country are staged throughout Florida's service territory," said Todd Fountain, Duke Energy Florida storm director. "We appreciate the assistance from our contractor partners who will help speed power restoration, as soon as weather conditions safely allow."

The company has a large contingent of crews based at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and The Villages, just south of Ocala.

Important safety reminders for customers

• Ensure an adequate supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, nonperishable foods, medicines, etc., as well as the availability of a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or weather radio.
• Customers should make alternate shelter arrangements as needed if you will be significantly impacted by a loss of power ? especially families who have special medical needs or seniors.
• In the event of loss of power, customers that are dependent on medical equipment should have a power backup system, as well as an action plan for proceeding to the nearest medical facility.
• Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact with lines. Report all power line hazards to Duke Energy at 800.228.8485 or contact your local emergency services department or agency.
• If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

For more tips on what to do before, during and after a storm, please visit duke-energy.com/StormTips.

Power restoration

As restoration begins, workers may not be visible in each impacted neighborhood, as the first priority is to repair large power lines and other infrastructure that will return power to the greatest number of customers as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible.

Power restoration crews will begin working immediately after the storm, but restoration efficiency improves as damage assessment information is available to ensure the right workers and materials are dispatched to each power outage location.

The company will provide estimated power restoration times to customers once damage assessments are completed. The company also will provide regular updates to customers and communities through emails, text messages, outbound phone calls, social media and its website, which includes an interactive outage map. The outage map allows customers to view up-to-date information on power outages, including the total number of outages systemwide and estimated times of restoration.

Outage reporting

To stay informed about the status of power outages, customers should sign up for Outage Alerts. If already enrolled, take this time to ensure all contact information is accurate and up to date using the Manage Alerts link at duke-energy.com/OutageAlerts.

Customers who experience an outage during a storm can report it the following ways:

• Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.
• Use the Duke Energy mobile app ? Download the Duke Energy App from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play.
• Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).
• Call the automated outage reporting system at 800.228.8485.
• Customer service specialists will be available to manage customer calls should the need arise, with additional corporate responders from across all Duke Energy jurisdictions available to assist as needed.

For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear. 

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and  Facebook.

Contact: Audrey Stasko
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

SOURCE Duke Energy