0:00Hurricane Milton, which made landfall south of Sarasota as a Category 3 storm, caused significant damage to the local electric system despite being 60 miles away from Leesburg. The storm’s outer bands brought powerful gusts of up to 75 miles per hour, resulting in downed power lines and damaged infrastructure. Nearly 19,000 customers lost power, accounting for about 68% of the service area. Restoration efforts were quickly mobilized, with mutual aid arriving from Troy, Alabama, and Keys Energy to support local crews. These teams faced logistical challenges, including arranging meals and accommodations for the influx of workers.

The restoration strategy prioritized infrastructure such as traffic lights and medical facilities. By the end of the first day, power was restored to over 12,000 customers, thanks to the coordinated efforts of local and mutual aid crews. The following days saw a continuous focus on restoring larger subdivisions and neighborhoods, ultimately reaching 98.8% restoration by Sunday.

50:57Communication challenges during the storm were a significant topic of discussion. The board acknowledged the need for a more reliable communication strategy. One participant noted the inconsistency of midday reports, which sometimes did not appear until late afternoon, emphasizing the need for a designated individual to manage communication during such events. The utility’s outage map, used by customers to track power restoration progress, was criticized for its lack of precise graphical representation during large-scale outages, leading to confusion among users.

21:14There was a proposal to integrate text messaging into the communication strategy, as many customers reported outages through text messages. The current process, which required manual updates, was deemed inefficient, and the board discussed the potential for automating these updates to improve response times.

The board also examined the prioritization of service to critical facilities, particularly medical centers. Concerns were raised about a hospital’s generator failing to activate during the storm, which could have complicated restoration efforts. However, it was confirmed that medical facilities were considered top priority, with crews prepared to restore power as soon as conditions allowed.

36:13Financial aspects of the storm recovery were addressed, with discussions on the costs associated with mutual aid agreements and potential reimbursements from FEMA. While upfront costs were significant, the board recognized the importance of these agreements in expediting recovery efforts.

50:57During the meeting, the effectiveness of underground service lines was highlighted. Approximately 70% of Leesburg’s lines are underground, providing some protection against storm damage. However, the high costs of undergrounding, typically six to eight times more expensive than overhead systems, were noted as a consideration for future infrastructure investments.