President Joe Biden visited St. Petersburg, Florida, on Oct. 13 to announce $612 million for Department of Energy projects aimed at strengthening electrical grids in areas impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The funds include $94 million for initiatives in Florida, with $47 million each allocated to Switched Source, in partnership with Florida Power and Light (FPL), and Gainesville Regional Utilities. These investments are crucial for enhancing the resilience of the electrical grids in Florida, a state highly vulnerable to hurricane activity.
Switched Source will collaborate with FPL to optimize power flow in distribution circuits, unlocking over 200 megawatts of system capacity and improving circuit reliability in areas prone to long-term power outages. The funding for Gainesville Regional Utilities will focus on fortifying the region’s electrical grid to expedite power restoration and provide tools for field teams during outages.
President Biden also approved a major disaster declaration for Florida, making federal funds available for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and assistance for business owners affected by Hurricane Milton. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened disaster recovery sites in affected areas to provide information on available federal support. The Federal Aviation Administration has permitted FPL to utilize large drones to assess damage to its power grid as ground crews work diligently to restore power.
The Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are collaborating to reopen the Port of Tampa to facilitate the flow of fuel, food, water, and essential supplies to the region as residents recover from the storm’s impact. Thousands of linemen from various states are working to restore power to the areas still in darkness. Additionally, federal responders and search-and-rescue personnel are on the ground to assist with relief efforts.
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key in Florida on Oct. 9 as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph. The aftermath of the storm has left hundreds of thousands of Florida residents without power, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to withstand future extreme weather events in the state.
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