OUC - Orlando Utilities Commission

10/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2024 12:12

Hurricane Milton Media Advisory 5

OUC is ready to respond as Hurricane Milton crosses Florida. Electric and water crews are in-place and are ready to restore services, as needed and while it is safe to do so. Additionally, mutual aid crews from other states have arrived and will continue to arrive post-storm.

While it is challenging to predict the exact impacts of Hurricane Milton, we expect the storm to result in widespread power outages and damage across Central Florida. There may be road closures, flooding, and fallen trees, which could slow restoration times. Additionally, uprooted trees could impact water pipes and disrupt service.

Based upon the latest weather forecasts, we anticipate crews will be able to begin assessing damage Thursday morning, October 10, when it is safe enough to do so. We ask for your patience because we must wait until it is safe for our teams to respond. Once the storm passes, we will assess damage, and it may take at least 48 hours to provide a systemwide estimated time of restoration (ETR).

First, we will prioritize restoring power to critical areas such as hospitals, police, and fire stations. Next, we will focus on making repairs to restore power to the most customers in the most efficient way possible. Repairs that only impact a few customers at each location will be addressed last.

Learn more about how OUC restores power following a storm at OUC.com/stormcenter.

OUC's Call Center will provide enhanced support throughout the storm. Outages may be reported by going to my.ouc.com or calling 407-423-9018 and customers only need to call once, preferably from their registered phone number. OUC also advises customers to practice safety protocols during and after the storm:

  • If rising water threatens your home - or if you evacuate - turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
  • Exercise safety outside and be wary of downed lines. Power lines still could be energized and hidden in debris.
  • Avoid pooled water and flooded streets. Downed wires and electrical equipment, such as a pad mounted transformer, could be hidden and still energized. That could prove fatal. Stay away from flooded areas, don't swim, wade or drive in flooded streets. And always supervise your children and pets if you go outside.

We thank our customers in advance for their patience and urge them to stay safe.

OUC.com/stormcenter will regularly be updated with latest information and includes safety tips. The outage map is available, but restoration times will not be added until after restoration begins. We will continue to send media advisories twice daily - one in the morning and one in the evening.

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About OUC-The Reliable One
For more than 100 years, OUC-The Reliable One has provided exceptional value to its customers and community through the delivery of sustainable and reliable services and solutions. The utility provides electric, water, chilled water, lighting and solar services to more than 400,000 accounts in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. As OUC prepares for the next century, it remains committed to a goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 while supporting the Central Florida community with conservation, sustainability and energy efficiency resources. Visit www.ouc.com to learn more.