Power outages, generators, and utility crews

TAMPA - After the storm has passed, we may experience widespread power outages. For the safety of repair crews, power companies will not begin restoration efforts until wind speeds are down under 35 miles per hour. Please be patient. Power suppliers will provide service restoration updates to ABC Action News to keep everyone informed of their progress.

• Turn off circuit breakers before the power goes. Leave on one circuit breaker with a lamp on so you will know when the power has resumed.
• Call your power company to report power lines that are sparking or any obviously unsafe electrical equipment. Encourage everyone to stay away from these hazards.

Generators

• Please read the instruction booklet that accompanies the generator that you’ve purchased. It will contain specific information for your make and model of generator.
• Never operate the generator indoors, neither in the home nor in the garage or carport. During operation, always position the generator outdoors and away from any open windows, doors, intake vents, or air conditioning unit air handlers to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the home.
• Once a storm is passed and you are going to use your generator, find a well vented space outdoors, and secure it with a chain and padlock to an immovable structure such as a tree, fence, railing or pillar. Many generators are stolen due to high demand.

Restoring Electrical Service

Repair crews work to return power to the facilities that serve the largest number of affected customers first. Priorities are not established by where your home is located geographically, your payment history or how often you call. Crews focus on facilites that provide essential service to your community, such as hospitals, police and fire stations and television or radio stations. Once major repairs have been made, work begins to restore smaller groups and individual customers.