Public Notice: City of Lakeland Hurricane Milton Update - October 11, 2024

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At the peak, Lakeland Electric had approximately 85,000 customers without power. Power has been restored to over half of those customers in just one day. As of 9 a.m. this morning, 38,000 customers are without power. Due to the extensive wind and flood damage, it is estimated that power restoration will take at least seven days to get all customers online.

Lakeland Electric continues to increase mutual aid crews in the field. There are now over 600 personnel helping restore power.  This includes more than 500 mutual aid personnel from Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Alabama, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida. This is five times normal operation, and it is the goal to get every customer back online as quickly as possible.  The Lakeland Electric smart grid system automatically reports power outages, customers can view the outage map by visiting lakelandelectric.com/outagemap.  Please call Customer Service at 863-834-9535 to report electric emergencies and downed lines. 

There are some areas around Lakeland that were hit very hard with flooding.  The Lakeland area experienced over 12 inches of rain in 24 hours taxing the City’s stormwater system.  Water is starting to subside, but some ponding is still evident.  Be careful and when approaching standing water in a vehicle, do so with extreme caution or avoid it all together.

The City of Lakeland still has 39 lift stations without power. The good news, 16 of those are powered by permeant generators and the other 23 are running on portable generators.

There are several boil water notices in place.  Go to lakelandgov.net/boilwaternotices for the latest updates.  Customers on Angelina Lane, Rolling Woods Lane, Emerald Terrace, Lake Point Drive, Elon Crest Drive, Williamstown Boulevard, and Hollingsworth Hills Avenue are currently under a boil water notice.

Solid Waste crews continue to concentrate on clearing debris from the main roads. There is a focus on the NW and SE areas of the City that have the most tree damage. The City’s contract debris haulers have been mobilized and the City of Lakeland is getting debris sites ready.  These are FEMA contractors so we must adhere to the FEMA rules with debris.

• Place debris in piles that are no larger than 6 ft by 4 ft by 4 ft. 
• Keep debris away from trees, poles, structures, fire hydrants, and meters. 
• Do not block the roadway with debris
• Curbside Debris needs to be separated into these categories:
  
  
• Construction debris includes building materials, drywall, carpet, furniture
• Vegetation debris including tree branches, leaves, logs and plants
• Hazardous waste including oil, batteries, paint, cleaning supplies
• Large appliances including refrigerators, washer/dryers, dishwashers
• Electronics including televisions, computers, phones

At one point over 60% of the traffic signals in Lakeland were out.  Many are back online but some are still without power.  Please be cautious on the streets and treat the downed signalized intersections like a four-way stop. 

There are several Departments working together to put the community back together with members from Lakeland Electric, Lakeland Police Department, Lakeland Fire Department Public Works, Water, Wastewater, Parks & Recreation and Community Development working long hours – Thank You!

Please be patient during restoration efforts, crews are working diligently to get power restored and life back to normal.  Be safe and help each other.  Lakeland is a much better community when we come together and please visit lakelandgov.net/hurricane for the latest information on restoration and notices regarding Hurricane Milton.

Be Safe!

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