Trystan Casey
Florida is home to 135 electric power plants, which make up 1% of all power plants in the US. However, power outages are not uncommon in the state. In fact, between 1992 and 2009, there were 34 wide-scale electric transmission outages, impacting over 11 million customers. More recently, in 2024, Hurricane Helene left roughly 1.2 million homes and businesses without power in Florida, with the total number across 10 states reaching nearly 4.5 million.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 September 2024 |
| Cause | Hurricane Helene |
| Number of people without electricity in Florida | More than 1 million |
| Number of homes and businesses without electricity in Florida | 1.2 million |
| Average duration of power outages in Florida | 65.6 hours |
| Number of people without electricity in 10 states | Nearly 4.5 million |
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What You'll Learn
Hurricane Helene left 1.2 million without power
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm, left approximately 1.2 million homes and businesses in the state without power. The storm caused widespread devastation, with residents in Tampa Bay reporting that their homes had been submerged in water within half an hour of the storm hitting.
Helene was the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend region. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) had warned that the hurricane had rapidly intensified and was at the upper bound of hurricanes in terms of storm size. Forecasters had cautioned of a "catastrophic and deadly storm surge", urging residents to heed official evacuation warnings.
In addition to Florida, Helene also wreaked havoc in Georgia and the Carolinas, leaving a trail of flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage in its wake. More than 3.4 million homes and businesses across these states were without power, with South Carolina being the worst affected, recording over 1 million outages.
The hurricane caused the deaths of at least four people and left many others unaccounted for. Rescue workers were deployed in Florida's Lee County, and the National Guard was mobilized to assist in search and rescue operations. The storm also disrupted essential services such as running water and cellphone service in the affected areas.
The impact of Hurricane Helene highlighted the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events. As the Southeast grapples with the aftermath, the focus shifts to recovery and rebuilding efforts, with power outages expected to be long-lasting in some areas.
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Power outages lasted 65.6 hours on average
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Florida, and other states in the US Southeast experienced power outages. The storm caused widespread flooding and damage to infrastructure, impacting the power supply to millions of homes and businesses.
According to reports, Florida was one of the states severely affected by the hurricane. In the immediate wake of the hurricane, approximately 1.2 million homes and businesses in Florida were without electricity. This contributed to the broader impact, with a reported 3.9 million homes and businesses across the Southeast experiencing power outages at 8:30 a.m. ET, according to PowerOutages.us.
The duration of power outages in Florida due to Hurricane Helene lasted 65.6 hours on average. This extended period without electricity highlights the significant disruption and challenges faced by those in the storm's path.
The prolonged power outages in Florida were likely due to the extensive damage caused by the hurricane. The storm's impact on the state's infrastructure, including flooding and fallen trees, hindered restoration efforts and likely contributed to the extended duration of power outages.
The average duration of 65.6 hours for power outages underscores the prolonged period during which residents and businesses had to cope without electricity. This extended outage could have resulted in various challenges, including disrupted daily routines, impaired communication networks, and compromised food and medical supplies that require refrigeration.
The impact of prolonged power outages can be especially detrimental, and the timely restoration of power is crucial for the affected communities to regain access to essential services and resume their normal lives.
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10,531,246 customers impacted by hurricane-related outages
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, Florida was one of the states that suffered severe consequences. The hurricane caused widespread flooding and damage to infrastructure, leaving millions of people without electricity. According to sources, around 3.9 million to 4.5 million homes, businesses, and utility customers were impacted by power outages across ten states, including Florida.
In Florida alone, approximately 1.2 million homes and businesses lost power due to Hurricane Helene, according to PowerOutages.us. Hillsborough County, which includes the city of Tampa, was particularly hard-hit, with nearly 600,000 customers of Tampa Electric (TECO) experiencing outages. The storm's impact on the power grid resulted in "massive" outages, affecting traffic lights and residential areas.
Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida in October 2024, also caused significant disruptions. It left more than three million Florida residents without electricity as it tore across the state. Hillsborough County, once again, was heavily impacted, with Tampa Electric (TECO) reporting that nearly 600,000 of its 850,000 customers were without power. The hurricane's aftermath led to extensive localized flooding and infrastructure damage, including downed trees, which posed challenges for rescue and restoration efforts.
The loss of power in Florida due to hurricanes has affected millions of customers and residents. The numbers indicate the scale of the impact and the challenges faced by the affected communities. Power companies and officials have worked to restore electricity, prioritizing critical infrastructure and residential areas. The restoration process requires patience from the community, and first responders, including police and firefighters, work tirelessly to address the situation.
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Tampa International Airport closed
Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage in Florida and Georgia, leading to millions being left without power. In Florida alone, approximately 1.2 million homes and businesses were without electricity, according to PowerOutages.us. The storm also led to flooding and infrastructure damage, with emergency crews responding to numerous calls for help.
Tampa International Airport was one of the many places affected by power outages in the state. On the night of June 22, 2023, a power outage impacted the main terminal and Airsides A and F. This caused significant disruptions, with some travellers stuck on airplanes and in the terminal. The airport crews worked swiftly to resolve the issue, but it took longer for Airside F due to more extensive damage.
Tampa International Airport's vice president of operations, Adam Bouchard, described the event as "really unusual," stating that it had never happened before to their knowledge. The airport typically has a backup system to restore power, but this did not work for the affected Airsides. Bouchard also noted that the power draw from the jet bridges was too substantial, causing hold-ups and limiting the number of gates that could be used.
By the early hours of the following day, power was restored to all areas of the airport, and normal operations gradually resumed. However, Airside F required additional repairs, and TPA continued to investigate the cause of the outage. The airport advised passengers with upcoming flights to stay updated through their airline companies.
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Hundreds of emergency calls were made
Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage and power outages across several states in the US Southeast. In Florida, around 1.2 million homes and businesses were without electricity, according to PowerOutages.us. The storm's impact led to hundreds of emergency calls being made.
The Pinellas County Department of Emergency Management reported that 911 emergency crews were inundated with calls, responding to hundreds of structure fires and water rescue calls in heavily impacted areas. The situation was described as "extremely busy," with many areas still flooded and in need of assistance.
Hurricane Helene caused significant disruption and danger, leading to dozens of deaths and leaving millions without power across the affected states. The storm's impact was felt across multiple states, with North Carolina also declaring a state of emergency and experiencing dangerous flooding.
In Florida, the hurricane's landfall in Taylor County resulted in widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency, urging residents in low-lying areas to seek higher ground immediately due to the potential for life-threatening landslides and inundation of homes.
The storm's impact on Florida's power grid was substantial, with nearly 4.5 million customers across 10 states experiencing power outages. Each outage potentially impacted multiple individuals or households, suggesting that the number of people affected by the lack of electricity could be significantly higher. The exact number of people without electricity in Florida due to Hurricane Helene may vary, but the combination of power outages, flooding, and other storm-related hazards prompted hundreds of emergency calls and rescue efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
More than 1 million people were without electricity.
According to PowerOutages.us, around 1.2 million homes and businesses were without power in Florida.
Yes, in addition to Florida, 9 other states were impacted by power outages, affecting nearly 4.5 million homes, businesses, and other utility customers.
The average duration of power outages in Florida is 65.6 hours, equivalent to 3 business days. However, following a hurricane or severe storm, it can take significantly longer for power to be restored.
The most common causes of power outages in Florida are hurricanes, tropical storms, severe weather, and lightning strikes.
