In Fort Myers, Florida, —
(MJP) To make sure that Southwest Floridians get their power back on fast after the next major storm, Florida Power and Light is getting ready for it ahead of time by concentrating on readiness, restoration, and recovery.
Shawn Johnson, a spokesperson for FPL, stated, “We recognize that the price of paradise here in the state is severe weather and a variety of storms, which is why we prepare year-round for whatever Mother Nature brings our way,”
Getting electricity back on as quickly as possible during a storm is FPL’s priority, and the company says they’re concentrating on readiness, restoration, and recovery.
“It doesn’t matter what level the storm is, whether it has a name,” Johnson pointed out. We appreciate the need to be ready for any weather catastrophe that may occur so that we can respond swiftly to our client’s needs.
It all begins days before a storm hits by keeping an eye on conditions and preparing workers to respond to the worst-hit areas.
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Preparing personnel to respond swiftly and safely is the goal of staging campsites, which Johnson described as “mini-cities” that provide food, housing, and other necessities.
“FPL is constantly making improvements to the grid to lower the amount of neighborhoods hit with an outage,” claimed the CEO.
Local communities in Southwest Florida have been seeing FPL‘s recent replacement of subterranean lines.
The area has also been seeing the installation of main power lines made of storm-resistant steel or concrete, he added. More than 2,000 communities in the state have been serviced by underground lines since 2018. The lines that are most logical and would gain the most from underground service are the ones that are being undergrounded.
Compared to lines fastened to above-ground electric poles, those buried underground fared six times better during Hurricane Ian.
Power outages during storms are often caused by vegetation, as pointed out by Johnson.
“Vegetation was a leading cause of power outages during and so continuing to expand our vegetation maintenance program has been very helpful and will continue to be helpful for us as we look to reduce those outage times for any future severe weather events as well,” according to Johnson.
One way locals may help is by strategically placing plants and trees to not obstruct power wires or transformers. To further aid in keeping power reliable during storms, you can notify FPL of any vegetation that needs cutting.
Juniper Calloway is a dedicated journalist with 3 years of experience in covering hard-hitting stories. Known for her commitment to delivering timely and accurate updates, she currently works with MikeandJon Podcast, where she focuses on reporting critical topics such as crime, local news, and national developments across the United States. Her ability to break down complex issues and keep audiences informed has established her as a trusted voice in journalism.
