Hurricane Milton Updates
Oct. 9, 2024 (12:30 p.m.) - Important Information for Customers with Medical Needs
While GRU’s Medically Essential Electric Service (MEES) program provides important protections, it’s important to note that MEES customers don’t have their power restored first during outages. However, MEES customers do receive 24-hour notice before any disconnection due to nonpayment.
If you or someone in your home requires medically essential electric service, please be prepared by knowing your designated special needs shelter. For Hurricane Milton, it is the Senior Recreation Center (5701 NW 34th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32653). If you need transportation to the special needs center, please call 352-955-2575.
You can learn more about the MEES program here:
Oct. 9, 2024 (10 a.m.) - Don't Let Your Guard Down
Hurricane Milton remains a powerful hurricane. As of this morning’s forecast, we can expect tropical storm-force winds (above 38 mph) in Alachua County. With a 40-mile margin of error in the storm’s path, last-minute changes are possible so stay prepared and don’t let your guard down.
Heavy rain and wind increase the chances of falling trees. ALWAYS avoid downed power lines and report them immediately to 352-334-2871.
Oct. 8, 2024 - A message from Electric T&D Manager Ray Jordan
GRU’s lineworkers and Electric Transmission and Distribution staff have completed all preparations and are ready for Hurricane Milton.
While we want to restore power as quickly as possible, safety is our top priority. Please do your part by never approaching downed power lines or trees on wires. Always assume a power line is live and stay at least 50 feet away. Report the line to 352-334-2871, and we will get there as quickly as possible.
The combination of areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene and expected impact from Hurricane Milton is causing a shortage of lineworkers and tree personnel throughout the Southeast. We have arranged for mutual aid assistance from Lubbock Power & Light in Lubbock, Texas, and Riviera Utilities in Daphne, Alabama, in addition to tree crews from as far as New York. They will support our GRU crews, but we have fewer available than during Hurricane Helene, so customers should be prepared for longer restoration times.
Because this has been an active season, the country is also experiencing long lead times on many of the materials used for power restoration, including poles and transformers. We took precautionary measures prior to the season and stocked our warehouse, so while Hurricane Helene used a lot of resources, we still have an adequate supply.
Again, I would like to remind everybody to be safe and prepare for extended outage times. Hurricane Milton is a powerful storm that could impact millions of people and exhaust resources across the country.
- Ray Jordan, Electric Transmission and Distribution Manager