Hurricane Helene
As of Tuesday evening, we have restored power to 9,217 meters across our service territory. All meters that can safely receive electricity off of the St. Augustine and Lloyd Substations have been restored. Restoration for both substations was completed earlier than their estimated Wednesday and Thursday restoration times.
Current Outages: 887
Meters Impacted: 10,863
Meters Out by County
Jefferson – 886
Madison – 4,613
Taylor – 5,103
Dixie - 164
Lafayette - 46
*A significant number of meters have been restored off of our Cherry Lake substation but it will not reflect on the outage map until communications to the substation are restored.
Restoration by the numbers:
- 1,900 mutual aid personnel assisting
- 9,217 Meters Restored
- 705 Broken Poles
- 423 Broken Poles Repaired
- 243 Broken Crossarms
- 204 Broken Crossarms Repaired
The estimated restoration times by substation can be found below.
Tri-County Electric Cooperative has established estimated restoration times for meters served by each TCEC substation across our service territory. Crews are actively working to make repairs to the distribution system off of each substation. Service to meters will be restored as repairs are completed. Many members will receive service well in advance of the estimated restoration time as crews make their way across the system.
The estimated restoration time indicates the completion of repairs for all meters fed from that substation that can safely receive electricity.
TBD – Crews are actively working in the Coastal Areas. An estimated restoration time will be determined as the assessment continues and the significant number of meters unable to accept electricity is determined. The catastrophic damage to our coastal communities presents extreme safety hazards and we are proceeding with great caution in these areas. Meters that can safely receive electricity are being restored as repairs are completed in the coastal areas. We are working with members as they complete repairs to their homes and we can energize their meters.
BY COUNTY:
MADISON
SONNIE - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 100% Restored
CHERRY LAKE - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 75% Restored
MADISON - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 75% Restored
ERIDU - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 100% Restored*
GREENVILLE - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 75% Restored*
HWY 6 - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 75% Restored
JEFFERSON
►ST AUGUSTINE - WEDNESDAY - 10/2 -100% Restored - FULLY RESTORED - TUESDAY - 10/1
►LLOYD - THURSDAY - 10/3 - 100% Restored - FULLY RESTORED - TUESDAY - 10/1
MONTICELLO - FRIDAY - 10/4 - 100% Restored
AUCILLA - FRIDAY - 10/4 - 100% Restored
ERIDU - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 100% Restored*
GREENVILLE - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 75% Restored*
TAYLOR
BOYD - THURSDAY - 10/3 - 100% Restored
ERIDU - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 100% Restored*
PERRY - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 75% Restored
GREENVILLE - FRIDAY - 10/4 – 75% Restored*
SCANLON & STEINHATCHEE- COASTAL AREAS - TBD – Crews are actively working in the Coastal Areas. An estimated restoration time will be determined as the assessment continues and the significant number of meters unable to accept electricity is determined. The catastrophic damage to our coastal communities presents extreme safety hazards and we are proceeding with great caution in these areas. Meters that can safely receive electricity are being restored as repairs are completed in the coastal areas. We are working with members as they complete repairs to their homes and we can energize their meters.
Member Service Representatives are available to assist with any questions you may have via phone at 850.973.2285 or 800.999.2285.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our damage assessment team continues to comb our system. They work miles ahead of TCEC crews and mutual aid to determine the needs down line and report the data to our engineering department. This provides a better understanding of what is ahead for each crew, the materials needed, and more.
1,900 mutual aid personnel have boots on the ground of TCEC service territory. We are actively working in Madison, Jefferson, and Taylor County. Every substation’s main distribution lines have crews assigned to completing repairs and rebuilding the 3-phase infrastructure.
Crews must follow a process designed to safely restore power to the greatest amount of people in the shortest time possible, while also considering priority locations. Priority locations include schools, medical care centers, fuel stations, convenience stores, essential manufacturing, emergency services, and communication towers.
Transmission and substation repairs must be completed first. All TCEC substations fared well during Hurricane Helene and experienced minimal damage. Transmission service has been restored to all 16 TCEC substations.
Main Distribution Lines – 3-phase line repair is labor intensive and requires large equipment and crew makeup of various skill sets. We are seeing significantly more damage to our main line distribution than what we experienced in the 8-day restoration process after Hurricane Idalia. This step includes restoration of service to critical loads and priority locations.
Single Phase and Tap Lines – this service runs directly to our member's homes and businesses. These isolated outages impacting smaller groups of people will see longer restoration times as mainline service to these locations must be completed first.
Our two base camps locations to house, feed, and provide care for our mutual aid are fully operational. Material, fuel, and other necessities are on site of both base camps allowing for the restocking of our fleet each night or as needed.
We cannot express enough how grateful we are for our members and our communities. Your support and understanding and our amazing community partners result in a positive, safe, and efficient restoration process. We all have the shared mission of getting the lights back on to every TCEC meter and getting everyone home safely.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The TCEC Madison Headquarters and Monticello District office are both open to Members. The remaining district offices will reopen as it is safe to do so.
Our System Control Center is be staffed 24 hours a day. Should you need to speak to someone directly please be patient as we anticipate higher than normal call volume, interruptions in connectivity or communication devices due to storm damage, and as we manage emergency and priority calls.
Members dependent on medical devices requiring electricity should arrange an alternate source of care or power supply.
To report an outage:
Call 800.999.2285
Text 'TCEC' to 800.999.2285
Login to your account online at www.tcec.com or on the TCEC FL mobile app
If you do not have your account information, submit outage information by clicking HERE
Track outages:
For updates throughout the restoration process follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TriCountyElectricFlorida
Please remember the importance of safety in these dangerous conditions.
- There are many down power lines throughout our service territory. Please use extreme caution when navigating around them. Do not go within 25 feet of a down line. You can report the information to the co-op by street name and general area.
- To remain safe in a flooding situation PLEASE do not try to manipulate any power conductors, including flipping your breaker including your main outside breaker, opening your meter, or attempting to unplug anything from your outlets.
- Never connect a standby generator to your home’s electrical system. Set up and run your generator in a well-ventilated area outside of the home. Make sure it is away from doors, windows, and vents. The carbon monoxide generated is deadly.
- Avoid crews working in the street. This will keep you and the crews safe and allow them to work on restoring your power.
- Do not enter flooded areas, which can conceal downed wires or other potential hazards.
- Tune in to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.
- Follow the advice of your local emergency management and health officials.
- Take cover as necessary.
Areas with active fiber internet service with Conexon Connect will likely experience internet outages as well. The fiber will be repaired following the repairs of power infrastructure in those areas. For internet connectivity issues and troubleshooting, contact Conexon Connect at 1-844-542-6663 or visit www.conexonconnect.com.