Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has updated its Hurricane Isaias power restoration estimate, expecting to restore about 85% of the 435,000 customers affected by the storm by the end of Monday, Oct. 12. The utility had initially targeted restoring 95% of affected customers by that time.

Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, at approximately 8:30 p.m. CDT Friday, Oct. 9, as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm brought powerful winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge to Florida’s Panhandle, contributing to widespread power outages and damage to utility infrastructure.

As of 10 p.m. CDT Sunday, Oct. 11, FPL had restored power to more than 70% of affected customers. The utility now expects restoration in Bay, Holmes, Jackson, Washington and Walton counties to be essentially complete, with Okaloosa County on track for completion by the end of Monday. Most affected customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are also expected to have power restored Monday, while remaining customers in the hardest-hit portions of those counties are expected to be restored by Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The estimates exclude customers whose homes or businesses cannot safely accept service.

Extensive Tree Damage Complicates Restoration

FPL revised its timeline after damage assessments revealed more extensive damage than initially anticipated, particularly from fallen trees, broken poles and leaning poles that require more complex repairs.

“As we continued our damage assessments in the hardest hit areas of the region, we discovered the tree damage to our system was much more severe and widespread than our initial estimates showed,” said Scott Bores, FPL president and CEO. “We’ve also seen trees on lines and broken and leaning poles that will require more extensive and complex work.”

FPL said high winds, heavy rain and significant storm surge contributed to damage in affected communities. Fallen trees and debris have also restricted access in some areas, adding to the time required for crews to reach damaged equipment and complete repairs.

Nearly 17,000 Workers Mobilized for Restoration

FPL has deployed nearly 17,000 workers from 29 states to support around-the-clock restoration efforts across the Florida Panhandle.

The utility is operating 15 staging and parking sites to position crews, equipment and other resources near areas requiring repairs. Damage assessment teams are using drones and helicopters to survey affected areas, completing 189 flights to help identify damage and guide restoration work.

FPL is also coordinating with local emergency management officials to clear roads and remove debris, allowing crews to safely reach damaged equipment and restore service.

The utility is prioritizing critical facilities, including schools, hospitals, 911 call centers and police and fire stations, while working to restore power to the greatest number of customers possible. FPL expects all schools and critical infrastructure facilities in affected areas to have power restored by the end of Monday, Oct. 12.

“We remain laser focused on the task at hand,” Bores said. “We’re working around the clock, and we won’t stop until the job is done and everyone is back on.”

Grid Investments Help Limit Outages

FPL said its investments in grid resilience helped reduce the storm's impact. According to the utility's initial assessments, smart grid technology prevented more than 130,000 outages, while underground power lines performed more than eight times better than overhead lines.

The company said additional damage may become apparent as crews continue working. Customers may experience further outages or momentary interruptions even after service has been restored, as crews identify and repair damage that was not immediately visible during initial assessments.

Customers whose homes or businesses sustained damage that prevents them from safely receiving electricity must have repairs completed by a licensed electrician before FPL can restore service.

FPL is providing updated restoration estimates through its customer communications channels and restoration map as damage assessments continue.