Kelly Hayes
Tampa Electric is continuing to assess damage to power lines as a result of Hurricane Ian, which at its peak left 300,000 customers without power.
As of 4:45 p.m., the utility company estimates 220,740 customers are still without power. That means about 42,000 homes have had power restored this afternoon, with Tampa Electric previously estimating 263,000 homes without power at noon.
The utility company prepped for the storm, which was previously expected to directly pummel the Tampa Bay area earlier this week, but shifted its path southward. As part of its preparation, Tampa Electric called in more than 3,000 workers to address power outages, ensuring restored power in days rather than weeks.
For TECO customers who are looking to report an outage, you can go here, call 877-588-1010 or text OUT to 27079. Tampa Electric advises residents to stay safe and keep away from downed power lines, and to call immediately to report them at 813-223-0800. The company will be providing more updates on social media channels.
Power outages are not just affecting homes. Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor reminded residents Thursday morning that several intersections have traffic lights down. If you come across a traffic light that’s down, treat the intersection like a four-way stop, she said.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor echoed O’Connor’s cautious messaging Thursday, advising residents to stay off the road and pay attention to hazards.
“We are asking everyone to stay alert, stay vigilant, paying attention to any of the hazards that are out there,” Castor said. “Keep an eye out for your neighbors.”
As for next steps, the City of Tampa plans to deploy search and rescue teams to help Fort Myers and Naples, which were leveled by the hurricane Wednesday. Castor also recognized First Lady Casey DeSantis for her role in activating the Florida Disaster Fund.
“We know that our neighbors to the south would have come up here if that original prediction had held true. They would have been right here to help us,” Castor said. “We need to be there to help them.”
14 comments
Tom
September 29, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Tropical 2 ocean tornado
Laurie
September 29, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Why was Tampa so fragile on the outskirts of the storm
Christopher L Nelson
September 29, 2022 at 6:28 pm
I’m guessing that the 3000 houses that got power restored were in the more expensive parts of town. Haven’t seen 1 teco truck int the town and country neighborhoods.
Sharon
September 29, 2022 at 8:28 pm
We are in Thonotosassa (NE side of Tampa in Hillsborough Cnty) I have seen no trucks around here either. We lost power and that power also runs our well water pump. We are without electricity and water. I hope they come soon.
stephen kovacs
September 29, 2022 at 9:58 pm
There have been NO Teco trucks in the Town & Country area. NONE
shavitte gordon
September 30, 2022 at 1:28 am
I have not seen or heard any TECO trucks in my neighborhood I live in Brandon Florida where is Tampa electric my food is getting spilled and I’m over heat. How can you determine who is the first priority I guarantee that the rich over there across the bridge is getting their lighte first while we middle class people how to suffer this is not right
Tecoussy
September 30, 2022 at 4:22 am
Work faster we in flordia this heat no joke dawg 💀
Randolph Haywood
September 30, 2022 at 7:44 am
How long will it be to have power in seffner?
Susie Johnson
September 30, 2022 at 1:04 pm
We live on Black Dairy Rd., in Seffner 33584. This is a Mobile home park with elderly, famies & children. Our water is supplied by a pump ,(electric).
Can you please give us some idea as to when to expect power to be restored????????
Mac Jones
September 30, 2022 at 7:59 am
Teco sucks…
Terri J Dragon
September 30, 2022 at 8:38 am
I live in Auburndale off Berkley Rd and still no power
AM OTT
October 1, 2022 at 5:14 am
Live off Shepherd Rd in Mulberry. No power, entire neighborhoods without power. Getting fuel for generator is a pain. How are so many ppl without power?
Amber
October 1, 2022 at 8:36 am
Riverview still without power.. weird thing is power came back on twice.. Then after running for a few mins… Went back out… 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Michelle
October 1, 2022 at 10:30 pm
I am far from Rick’s but I’m staying with in-laws off of valrico road and I promise you we have as well been without power completely since Wednesday and there are homes all around us with power but within our blocked rain we have had no power whatsoever nor have we seen one TECO truck even in the neighborhood perimeters to date and through all of this the most frustrating part is we cannot get any kind of a straight answer as to when we can anticipate having power restored at all the least they could do is give us an hourly update since that only requires fingers audio automatic updates for the most part…. . Seems pretty unethical on their part for a company that is in such high demand was concerned citizens at this time..!
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