From Duke Energy ...
Extensive damage from Helene will require us to rebuild portions of the electric grid on Pinellas County barrier islands
Crews continue to work diligently to repair damage to the electric grid from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. Though we are making every effort to work quickly, the damage is so severe in both your community and those nearby that we must do a substantial amount of additional work before power can be fully restored.
We do our very best to ensure our estimated restoration times are accurate, but occasionally we need to modify those times as we gain access to hardest-hit areas and find more extensive damage. In major storm events, a comprehensive assessment can be delayed as we wait for debris to be cleared, water to recede, or roads to be accessible.
Once we gained bridge access to the Pinellas County barrier islands, it became evident that damage to the region was far more significant than what communities encountered on the mainland. We will likely need to rebuild portions of the electrical infrastructure on each of the islands. The amount of construction necessary varies widely, so precise estimates are not yet available. We expect it could be weeks, not days, before all service to these areas are fully restored. Not all sections of the islands were impacted equally, so we will continue to restore service for those who are able to receive power.
NEXT STEPS
We are working quickly to assemble a centralized command center at Madeira Beach. A restoration task team will be on-site to begin the process of replacing equipment, rebuilding parts of the electric grid and repairing the sections that remain structurally sound.
We will keep you informed along the way with adjusted estimated times for restoration and periodic updates on our progress. We will establish a dedicated webpage to provide the latest information. We will provide text and email updates to residents as well.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY
We realize you may have also incurred significant damage to personal property. Picking up the pieces after the destruction from Hurricane Helene’s winds and record storm surge will be a challenge for many. Just as you may be rebuilding homes and businesses, we are committed to rebuilding our electric system to return vitality to the islands as quickly as possible. As your energy provider and your neighbor, we’ve seen the impact firsthand, and we are here to do all that we can to help you and your community recover. You can expect to receive more updates soon.
