Tampa Electric's objective is to restore power to the largest number of customers in the shortest possible time. However, safety is Tampa Electric's primary concern during the restoration period. The intent is to restore power to the entire service area as uniformly, and as safely, as possible.
During the restoration process, it's possible that some residents may be without power while their neighbors' power is still on. To help you understand, this diagram shows the busy path electricity takes to reach your home or business, and how a storm can cause damage at different points along the way.
To be able to repair damage and restore power as quickly as possible, Tampa Electric carefully reviews and updates its storm plan annually.
Here's how the plan works:
Electric service is restored in a pre-determined order of priority. Hospitals, disaster centers and police and fire stations come first. This way, these critical agencies can assist with other storm-related problems or injuries.
Water and sewer installations are next, followed by communication service providers and facilities providing important public services such as supermarkets, home improvement/building supply centers, insurance facilities, etc.
To implement the storm plan, Tampa Electric relies upon many departments to work through storm emergencies. Tampa Electric team members receive and coordinate damage information, establish work priorities and relay information to crews in the field.
During and after a storm, Tampa Electric seeks to maintain frequent communication with the news media so that electric customers and the public are kept informed.
When a major storm's arrival is imminent, Tampa Electric coordinates with utilities and contractors across the nation to mobilize crews towards Florida. Tampa Electric's crews are placed on-call so that they are available to repair any damage affecting Tampa Electric's lines and equipment but only when they can do so safely, typically when winds have slowed below 40 mph.
