Power Restoration Estimates In Tampa Bay After Hurricane Milton
Buckle up folks, cause it’s going to be along few days. As Hurricane Milton made its way across Florida, it left over 3 MILLION people without power. And with all the fallen debris due to the extreme winds, restoration make take longer than expected. So far TECO was been able to restore power to over 25,000 overnight on Thursday, 15,000 restorations happened within a single hour. Duke has also provided an expected timeline for their repairs.
Some locals on the Tampa Reddit page recall having to wait 10-15 days for their power to come back on after Irma, and they feel it may be the same case for Milton.
As of 6pm on Friday, October 11, poweroutage.us reported that 2.1 million people are still without power across the state. 450,000+ are out in Hillsborough county, 410,000+ in Pinellas, 100,500+ in Pasco, 108,000+ in Polk County, 149,000+ in Manatee County, and 139,000+ in Sarasota County.
When Can You Expect Your Power To Come Back?
Know that these companies are working around the clock to get power back to as many people as possible. According to ABC Action News, Duke Energy provided restoration estimates for Tampa Bay counties:
- Pasco and Pinellas Counties by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15.
- Citrus, Hernando, Polk, and Highlands Counties, service should be restored by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 13.
TECO customers are waiting and watching the power outage map restlessly. TECO began restoring power on Thursday at 7 a.m. as soon as conditions allowed. Within 24 hours, Tampa Electric had restored electricity to over 220,000 customers. With more than 6,000 utility workers on the ground. According to TECO’s website, Pasco customers can expect to have power by Monday, 10/14. Polk customers – Tuesday, 10/15. Hillsborough and Pinellas customers – Thursday, 10/17.
From TECO’s website on their power restoration process: “First, we ensure our power plants and transmission lines are in proper working order. Next, we restore power to essential services like hospitals, police and fire stations. Then, we focus on public services such as communication providers, supermarkets and home/building supply centers. After that, we restore power to the largest groups of customers in the shortest amount of time until every home and business has their power restored.”
What To Do In The Meantime…
Local businesses are working hard to open up and provide hot meals and a place to relax. Here’s what we heard is open for lunch/dinner on Friday, October 11 (check their social media for further updates):
- Gen X Tavern
- Boulon (Dinner only)
- Union (Dinner only)
- Besito
- Riviters Tampa
- Isekai Sushi+Kitchen
- Glory Days – (Odessa, Brooksville, Lecanto, New Tampa, Lakeland, Wesley Chapel, Winter Haven)
- Santoro Pizzeria (Limited Menu)
- Fabrica Pizza – Tampa & St. Pete
- Greenlane – Gandy & Dale Mabry locations
- Pacific Counter
- Chick-fil-A on the causeway in Brandon & 301
- Fergs St. Pete
- The Lure – St Pete
- Brick and Mortar Kitchen – St. Pete (open at 4:30pm)
- Gateway Subs – St Pete
- The Nona Slice House – 4pm
