How Florida Power & Light is preparing for hurricane season

Florida Power and Light crews working in a bucket truck and on the ground working to restore power. [Photo by FPL]

June marks Hurricane Preparedness Month, and as Florida heads into the most active stretch of storm season, preparation is already well underway for utility providers like Florida Power & Light (FPL).

For FPL, hurricane readiness is not a seasonal effort, it’s a year-round commitment.

“We prepare for storm season year-round here at FPL because we operate under the notion that it’s not a matter of if, but when the next hurricane will strike,” says Kamrel Eppinger, spokesperson for the company.

Preparing for hurricane season is a year-round job at FPL. [Photo by FPL]

That preparation takes many forms. One of the most visible efforts is FPL’s Storm Secure Underground Program, launched in 2018. The initiative focuses on placing neighborhood power lines underground in areas most vulnerable to outages. Since its inception, the company has completed more than 4,000 underground projects across its service territory.

According to Eppinger, underground lines perform about 50% better on a day-to-day basis and, during the 2024 hurricane season, performed up to 14 times better than overhead lines.

But undergrounding is only part of the strategy. FPL is also “hardening” its overhead infrastructure, replacing older wooden poles with stronger materials like reinforced wood, steel and concrete, while maintaining vegetation along thousands of miles of power lines to reduce outages caused by falling trees and debris.

In addition, FPL conducts annual storm drills to simulate hurricane conditions and test employee response. “We’re always looking at ways to improve for our customers and get better than the year beforehand,” Eppinger says.

FPL crews gather at a staging area waiting to respond. [Photo by FPL]

When a storm is on the horizon, preparation shifts into high gear. FPL uses pre-designated staging sites—often fairgrounds—across its service area to position crews and equipment ahead of impact. These sites act as temporary hubs where workers from across the country can gather, rest and prepare to restore power as soon as it is safe.

Once a storm passes, restoration follows a structured, prioritized process.

“We have a tried-and-true restoration process that’s guided by restoring the largest number of customers in the shortest amount of time,” Eppinger explains.

FPL lineworkers at work on power lines. [Photo by FPL]

Crews first focus on critical infrastructure such as hospitals and 911 call centers, then move to main roads that support essential services like gas stations, grocery stores and pharmacies. From there, they work toward restoring power to neighborhoods and the hardest-hit areas.

Residents often want to know how quickly their power will return, but Eppinger emphasized that accuracy takes time.

“Immediately following a major storm, it takes us roughly about 24 hours to complete a thorough damage assessment,” he says. “Once we understand the full impact, we’re able to provide more accurate restoration times.”

Storm conditions can also delay repairs. Flooding, debris and blocked roadways can prevent crews from safely accessing damaged areas.

While utilities prepare extensively, residents play a critical role in their own safety and readiness.

“Now is really the time to start thinking about your emergency plans,” Eppinger says.

That includes identifying evacuation plans, especially for households with members who rely on electricity for medical equipment. Residents with generators should test them ahead of time and always operate them outdoors, away from windows.

FPL also encourages customers to stock up on essentials such as solar-powered phone chargers and to download the FPL mobile app to stay informed during outages.

Pet owners should also plan ahead. “If you’re instructed to evacuate, make sure you know whether your shelter allows pets,” Eppinger says.

Safety remains a top priority during and after storms. Downed power lines pose a serious hazard.

FPL crews working on power lines. [Photo by FPL]

“If you come across a downed power line, assume it is energized,” Eppinger says. Residents should call 911 and report the outage to FPL immediately.

Despite decades of investment in a stronger, smarter, and more resilient grid, Eppinger stressed that no system is completely storm-proof.

“There is no storm-proof grid,” he says. “That’s why it’s so important for our customers to make sure they have a plan and be ready to act on that plan.”