OUC - Orlando Utilities Commission
10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 15:16
OUC Preparing for Hurricane Milton
OUC is preparing for Hurricane Milton's impact to our service area. While it is difficult to predict the full extent, multiple day outages are anticipated, and customers are asked to prepare now.
The utility is increasing restoration resources to five times the normal size to respond to outages caused by the storm. However, because many crews throughout the southeastern U.S. are in the Carolinas to restore and rebuild electric and water infrastructure for those devastated by Hurricane Helene, mutual aid assistance is coming from states farther away.
This includes line technicians and tree trimmers coming from the following states and cities: Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania. Crews from Tallahassee will also be assisting Central Florida reconnect after Milton.
Once the crews arrive, they'll work alongside OUC employees to restore powerlines and repair any customer issues 24/7 as long as it is safe to do so.
OUC's Call Center will provide enhanced support throughout the storm as well. Outages may be reported by calling 407-423-9018 and customers only need to call once, preferably from their registered phone number. Also, customers are asked to update their contact information - email and phone numbers- to stay informed about estimated service restoration schedules via text, email or calls from OUC.
As we wait for the storm to move in, please move all debris and lawn furniture inside now. These can become projectiles and damage power lines. OUC will continue normal operations until the close of business tomorrow (Oct. 8).
Our crews will work until conditions deteriorate and sustained winds stay above 35 miles per hour. So, we ask for patience because we must wait until it is safe to respond. Once the storm passes, we will assess damage, and it will take at least 48 hours to provide a system wide estimated time of restoration.
Power will be restored to critical customers first like hospitals, fire and police and then move to lines powering the most customers.
OUC.com/stormcenter will always 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. Again, we expect a system-wide estimated time of restoration to be available 48 hours after the storm passes. We will continue to send media advisories twice daily at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
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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.