Restoring Power, Restoring Lives: Outstanding Response

Hurricanes stretch resources to the limit, but restoration completed in record time

In August and September 2004, Florida took a beating like no other. During those trying months, four major hurricanes came ashore, casting a pall of darkness and despair over the state best known for its sunshine. Three of the storms — Charley , Frances and Jeanne — rocked FPL’s service territory to the core. During this unprecedented hurricane season, the number of outages reached nearly 5.4 million homes and businesses. FPL employees spent much of their summer and fall taking on major roles in a massive effort that would not only restore power, but restore lives.

For millions of Floridians, the summer and fall of 2004 were unlike anything they had ever imagined.

Beginning in August on Friday the 13th, four powerful hurricanes struck Florida in rapid succession. Three of the storms roared through FPL’s service area, buffeting power plants, downing power poles and electric wires, and resulting in nearly 5.4 million power outages.

Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne tested FPL’s resolve, resources and restoration skills as they have never been tested before, placing the company in a “hurricane restoration mode” almost non-stop for six weeks. FPL responded to the series of catastrophic events by immediately executing a proven and highly efficient storm restoration plan regarded as among the best in the nation. As part of this plan, thousands of FPL employees from every segment of the company came forward to fill a wide variety of roles in a massive power restoration effort unprecedented in the history of the electric industry. They were joined by thousands of other utility workers and contractors from 39 states and Canada.

Although the back-to-back-to-back hurricanes stretched FPL’s abilities to the limit, it also revealed the strength and character of its employees during times of crises. Many FPL workers were themselves victims of the storms, but they put aside their own personal losses and stress to work virtually non-stop in helping to restore power.

The magnitude of the hurricane restoration efforts is evident in the numbers. In the aftermath of the storms, more than 2.6 million phone calls were handled by FPL’s customer care centers. In the field, under often-adverse conditions, more than 13,000 power poles, 11,000 transformers and 1,700 miles of conductor were replaced to restore the electric system.

The restoration workforce in the aftermath of the storms ranged from more than 13,000 to nearly 17,000. FPL’s damaged electrical system was not only repaired but also, in some cases, totally rebuilt. On average, nearly 8,000 trucks and other vehicles were put on the road to make repairs after each storm, and more than 30 truckloads of materials were delivered by FPL suppliers every day. The restoration of power to millions of customers in record times for such extraordinary circumstances did not go unnoticed. Despite the frustration of being without power for extended periods of time, many customers levied high praise upon FPL employees for their selfless and dedicated service through countless letters and e-mails. Also, FPL was presented the Emergency Response Award by the Edison Electric Institute, the leading trade association of the electric power industry.

In addition to working around the clock to restore power, FPL and its employees and customers also helped to raise nearly $1.4 million toward hurricane relief for the American Red Cross and the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund.