City of Lakeland Update - Oct 10

As of this morning, there are approximately 85,000 Lakeland Electric customers without power. Our teams have been mobilized and crews have already started restoration efforts so that number will start to go down as the day progresses. 
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There are over 400 personnel in the field restoring power, this includes over 300 mutual aid workers who are here from Louisiana, Texas and other Florida municipal utilities. Thank you to our line works, our mutual aid teams and all those behind the scenes that help with power restoration.  The Customer Service Call Center is open. Lakeland Electric customers should call (863) 834-9535 to report electric emergencies and downed lines. The smart meter system automatically reports power outages to Lakeland Electric. Customers can monitor their outage by visiting https://lakelandelectric.com/outagemap.
 
While portable generators can serve as a benefit during power outages, they can also present extreme hazards if they are not used safely. The most common dangers associated with portable generators are carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shock or electrocution and fire hazards. To ensure you practice generator safety, please remember to:

• Operate generators and gas grills outdoors in well-ventilated areas
• Never use a generator or gas grill in an attached garage, even with the garage doors are open
• Place generators so that exhaust fumes cannot enter the home through windows, doors or other openings in the building
• Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling and never refuel a generator while it is running
• Store fuel for the generator in a container that is intended for the purpose and place the containers outside living areas
• Do not connect a generator to your home’s electrical system without a licensed electrician providing means to connect

 
There are some areas around Lakeland that were hit very hard with flooding.  Lakeland experienced over 12 inches of rain in 24 hours taxing the City’s stormwater system, but it was some of the private systems were hit the hardest.  For example, officers with LPD waded into a heavily flooded mobile home park off Harvey Road early this morning.  Officers were in full uniform in chest deep water and eventually got the dive boat involved in the high-water rescue that saved eight individuals and several pets as the water continued to rise.
 
As of this morning, three lift stations are flooded and 43 are completely without power.  The good news is we have permanent generators and a fleet of mobile generators that we are using to keep the affluent from overflowing.
 
Over 60% of the City’s 176 traffic signals are out.  Please be patient on the streets and treat the signalized intersections like a four-way stop.  Only travel on the streets if you absolutely must because there are downed power lines, tree debris and ponding water impacting the streets.
 
There is tree debris in all corners of the community that will need to be cleaned up.  Crews started working at first light to assist in getting streets cleared.  The City’s debris vendor has been mobilized; Thompson & DRC will be on the ground very soon to assist with debris pickup. All solid waste operations are suspended Thursday, Oct. 10 and Friday, October 11.  Solid waste crews are assisting with street clean-up and tree removal and will concentrate on regular operations next week.  We will know a lot more once the storm assessment teams report back on the impacts left from Hurricane Milton.
 
We are thankful for our public safety personnel and of course our line workers but there are a number of unsung heroes working hard to put our streets back together with members from Public Works, Water, Wastewater, Parks & Recreation and Community Development out on the streets who will be putting in long hours – thank you all!
 
PLEASE BE PATIENT during restoration efforts, City employees, contractors and mutual aid teams will be working diligently to get life back to normal. Be safe and please be part of the solution and help your neighbors because we are a much better community when we work together. There is useful information available with our latest hurricane updates on lakelandgov.net/hurricane.
 
-STAY SAFE-