Tampa Electric is making final preparations for Hurricane Idalia. In advance of the storm, Tampa Electric has secured thousands of workers from more than 20 states to help restore power after the storm passes.
Approximately 3,000 people, including line crews, tree trimmers and damage assessors, are traveling to Florida to help Tampa Electric restore power after the storm passes. Tampa Electric is a member of the Southeastern Electric Exchange, or SEE, which is a network of utilities that pledges mutual assistance in case of storm or other emergencies.
Crews are traveling from as far away as Maine, Missouri and Texas to help Tampa Electric. Many will begin arriving today in Central Florida and will remain outside of the storm’s path until it is safe to begin working.
Hurricane Idalia is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge to West Central Florida, which could result in extended power outages. Tampa Electric’s crews are prepared to work around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
“Hurricane Idalia has the potential to cause significant damage, and we are doing everything we can to prepare for a safe restoration,” said Archie Collins, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. “The safety of our customers and employees is our No. 1 priority, and I encourage our customers to prepare for extended power outages. Please stay safe.”
Tampa Electric’s first priority is the safety of customers and employees, and the company urges residents to follow local evacuation orders. Tampa Electric encourages all customers to have a personal storm plan in place for their home or business. Visit TampaElectric.com/Storm for tips, restoration information and additional guidance. Visit your county’s emergency management website to determine your flood zone, your hurricane evacuation zone, get flood depth data, flood insurance information, or help with property flood protection for residents.
Customers may experience power outages. Tampa Electric offers customers several ways to report and monitor power outages:
- Log into your online account at TECOaccount.com to report the outage with one click.
- Visit com/Outage to report your outage and get restoration status.
- Text OUT to 27079. Text UPDATE or STATUS for updates on your reported outage.
- Call 1-877-588-1010, Tampa Electric’s dedicated toll-free automated power outage phone system.
- Go to TECOaccount.com/Notifications and sign up for free outage notifications by text, email or phone calls.
Tampa Electric also will use Facebook facebook.com/tampaelectric and X (formerly known as Twitter) @tampaelectric to keep customers informed about outage restoration.
Tampa Electric reminds customers to be safe after a storm:
- Remember to keep away from downed power lines and urge others to be extremely cautious.
- Smell gas? Act fast. The odor of rotten eggs is an indicator that a natural gas line might be damaged. Immediately move to safety and call 911, then call Peoples Gas at 877-832-6747. Emergency calls are answered 24/7/365.
- Remember to use portable generators safely. Plug your appliances directly into the generator. DO NOT connect your portable generator into your home’s circuits. Connecting your generator to the circuits may cause power to flow to outside lines, posing life-threatening danger to restoration crews.
- Portable generators must not be taken into homes or any enclosed space (like a garage) where deadly carbon monoxide gases could build up.
- Stay out of floodwaters, as they can hide energized power lines or put you at risk of drowning.
Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves more than 830,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
