Storm affected nearly 300,000 customers, or about 35 percent of the system
Tampa Electric began restoring power today for the thousands of customers affected by Hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian affected Tampa Electric’s West Central Florida territory Wednesday and Thursday with high winds and heavy rain, impacting the area with Category 1 and tropical storm-force winds. The storm toppled trees and caused significant debris; Valrico and parts of Polk County were the hardest hit portions of TECO’s territory.
In total, the storm knocked out power to 295,000 customers. By 2 p.m., power had already been restored to 37,000 customers, or about 13 percent of those affected.
“Our goal is a safe and efficient restoration,” said Archie Collins, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. “Tampa Electric prepares our team for hurricane season throughout the year, continuously updating emergency response plans and holding mock drills so that we can be ready to execute the safest and fastest restoration possible when storms hit our area. Restoration will take days – but, thankfully, not weeks. We know that being without power affects many aspects of our lives, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work diligently to restore service within our community.”
Prior to the storm, Tampa Electric assembled about 3,000 crew members from other utilities, including lineworkers, tree trimmers and damage assessors from as far away as Oklahoma, Texas and Indiana, to assist with restoration efforts. This morning, as soon as it was safe to do so, Tampa Electric crews deployed trucks into the community. Their focus was to determine impacts from the storm, as well as to restore power where possible. The company will provide estimated restoration information when damage assessment is complete.
Customer Service has 24-hour coverage – and extra staff on hand – to take emergency and outage-related calls. The company also has assistance from other utilities to take weather-related calls, if needed. For customers with non-storm-related calls, we ask that they contact us next week so we can prioritize those in need, or they can try to resolve their issue by logging into tecoaccount.com.
Customers should be prepared for extended 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 tampaelectric.com/outage and report your outage.
- 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.
- Visit our outage map at tampaelectric.com/outagemap to report and track outages. You can also get restoration status.
Tampa Electric also will use Facebook facebook.com/tampaelectric and Twitter @tampaelectric to keep customers informed about outage restoration.
Tampa Electric would like to remind customers to be safe after a storm:
- Always assume that downed power lines are energized. Be sure to maintain a safe distance away and call us immediately at (813) 223-0800 or 1-888-223-0800.
- 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.
- Stay out of They can hide energized power lines and other hazards or put you at risk of drowning.
- Use portable generators safely.
- Never allow a portable generator to get wet or operate in or near the rain, as generators are designed to produce powerful voltage. If moisture enters it, an electrocution or explosion may result.
- DO NOT connect a portable generator to home circuits and be sure to plug appliances directly into the generator. Connecting a generator to home circuits may cause power to flow to outside lines, posing life-threatening danger to our lineworkers.
- Do NOT take portable generators into a residence or any enclosed space (including closed garages) where deadly carbon monoxide gases could build up.
- Never use a wet electrical device. Turn off your power at the main breaker if a device that is wet is plugged in. Wait for an electrician to check the device before using it.
- Be cautious when outside as tree limbs may have become loose and could fall without warning.
In addition, customers should be aware that scammers are on the rise, targeting those impacted by Hurricane Ian. These bad actors will email, and text customers, telling them if they don’t pay their bill right now, their power will be cut off, and other messages that may be convincing. Links to make payments are often included and may mimic the appearance of a TECO website page. They may also try to call, and “spoof” the company’s phone number so it looks like they are Tampa Electric.
Stay vigilant and follow these tips:
- Tampa Electric will never call to ask for credit card or debit card numbers.
- Be wary of anyone demanding payment over the phone for a utility bill.
- Never give credit or debit card information over the phone.
- Know what you owe. Reference your most recent bill or log into your online account to check your account status.
- If you are uncertain about an individual’s association with Tampa Electric, please contact the company for verification at 888-223-0800
While employees of Tampa Electric focus on helping customers recover from Hurricane Ian, the company is temporarily suspending disconnections for nonpayment.
Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves more than 800,000 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.
