As Florida prepares for Tropical Storm Debby, Duke Energy said it's mobilizing more than 3,000 of its workers in anticipation of power outages caused by the storm.
The company said power line technicians, vegetation workers, damage assessors and support personnel, who will be on standby to respond. This includes Midwest crews from Kentucky and Ohio, who will head to Florida to help begin repairs and power restoration.
“We are bringing additional crews to Florida today and will continue to adjust our resources as the storm approaches,” said Todd Fountain, Duke Energy Florida storm director. “We encourage our customers to heed their local officials’ warnings, take necessary precautions and prioritize safety before, during and after the storm.”
Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches have been issued for most parts of Tampa Bay as Debby nears the state. At 5 a.m. on Aug. 4, the NHC said that on the current forecast track, the system should move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday night and reach the Florida Big Bend coast late on Monday morning.
Some counties are also issuing evacuation orders, with Citrus County officials requiring mandatory evacuations for residents in Zone A.
'Cruise lights' on Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office patrol cars raise questions, confusion among drivers
Every driver knows that when you see red and blue flashing lights on a patrol car, you slow down, pull over, or get out of the way.
But in Hillsborough County, drivers will also now see deputies with their lights on, but not flashing. They're called "cruise lights," and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) recently implemented their use on all patrol vehicles.
