LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative

Three local organizations receive LCEC Environmental Funding Awards

March 30, 2023 – LCEC announced that Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Friends of the Cape Coral Environment, Inc., and Cape Coral Wildlife Trust received environmental funding awards. These organizations will use the funds to make a positive impact on our environment. This funding program was developed in 2013 as a means of supporting the amazing projects being done locally to protect our precious habitat. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $250,000 in local funding awards. To find out more about award deadlines and application criteria, visit the Environment page of lcec.net.

18 LCEC Employees Participate on United Way Fund Distribution Teams

March 23, 2023 – LCEC is proud to be a top fundraiser for the United Way of Lee, Hendy, and Glades Counties. Through fundraising events and employee, board and corporate contributions, LCEC commits every year to helping the United Way reach its annual goal. Our support of the United Way doesn’t stop with fundraising efforts. Each year, LCEC employees volunteer to participate on United Way Distribution Teams. Fund distribution (allocations) is the process that United Way uses to decide where to invest donations. The United Way recruits hundreds of volunteers from the community to represent the thousands of donors who contribute to the campaign to participate in allocations process. This year, there are 28 fund distribution teams on which 18 LCEC employees are serving on. “Serving on a fund distribution team is an absolute honor, and has given me the opportunity to learn so much about the amazing agencies which the United Way serves. Participating in this process gives you an in-depth understanding and true appreciation of how every single penny donated to our United Way goes directly to serving so many essential needs in our community,” said Senior Public Relations Specialist Laura Puerto. To find out more about how you can participate in the fund distribution process, visit unitedwaylee.org or contact tina@unitedwaylee.org.

LCEC, Harry Chapin Food Bank and Guadalupe Center partner to host food distribution event

March 13, 2023 – LCEC, the Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Guadalupe Center have partnered to host a drive-thru food distribution event this Wednesday, March 15, 2023, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the new Van Otterloo Family Campus at the Guadalupe Center, 3655 Westclox Street, Immokalee, FL 34142. This drive-thru pre-box food distribution will benefit 400 households in the Immokalee community. This is the third food distribution event that LCEC has cohost since Hurricane Ian decimated SWFL in late 2022. These food distribution events are just one way LCEC delivers on its core value of energizing the community by taking an active role in making our communities a better place to work and live.

Deadline for LCEC Environmental Funding Award Applications is March 15

March 9, 2023 – Time is running out to apply for an LCEC Environmental Funding Award. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 15. Interested organizations should visit www.lcec.net/about-lcec/community-and-education/environment to download the application. Interested organizations must meet certain criteria to be considered for the award including that the funding must be utilized for projects/programs related to the environment and the utility industry and have a demonstrated need for funds. Funding is awarded twice a year with deadlines happening on March 15 and September 1. Nearly $240,000 has been awarded since the program’s inception in 2013. To learn more, visit the Environment page at www.lcec.net or contact pr@lcec.net.

LCEC Celebrates Outstanding Employee Volunteerism

March 8, 2023 – The LCEC Pay It Forward Program began in 2016 to encourage volunteerism and support employees’ efforts to give to their favorite qualifying non-profit organization. To participate in this program, employees track and submit their volunteer hours to earn Pay It Forward donation dollars to be awarded to a 501 (c)(3) charity of choice. LCEC employees who volunteer between 50 to 100 hours in the community can designate a not-for-profit organization to receive up to a $100 donation.

Each year, there are a handful of outstanding employees who personally go above and beyond with their philanthropy by volunteering more than 500 hours in the community! During a recent celebration of these volunteer superstars, a drawing was held where the lucky winner of the drawing got $500 for the charity of their choice. Just like in year’s past, the winner opted to spread the money between the charities of choice for each of the three 500 Club members!

In just one year, these three LCEC employees gave of their time and talents to volunteer more than 2,000 hours in our community! One of these employees volunteered more than 1,000 hours alone!

Congratulations and sincere appreciation go to 500 Club members Nancy Miller, Nicky Sierra, and Jenell Dolan for their incredible efforts! LCEC applauds all of our incredible employees whose passion for philanthropy results in thousands of volunteer hours each and every year!

What causes blinking lights?

March 1, 2023 – As frustrating as they can be, blinking lights are actually a good thing! Blinking lights or momentary outages are the result of a disturbance that is detected on the electric system. The cause can range from something like a car accident to an animal to a tree branch. When lights blink, it is an indication that LCEC protective devices are operating correctly. When something contacts an energized line, it creates a fault or short circuit. If the fault or short circuit is temporary, power is restored immediately. The protective device will sometimes operate more than once to clear the line of the disturbance and avoid a prolonged outage. If the line is not cleared, it will be de-energized to protect equipment from damage and ensure safety. Unfortunately, this protective measure may cause lights to flicker and clocks on stoves and microwaves to reset. Investing in battery back ups can help mediate some of the interruptions caused by these momentary outages.

Apply now for an LCEC Environmental Funding Award

February 21, 2023 – March 15 is the deadline to apply for an LCEC Environmental Funding Award. To apply, organizations should visit www.lcec.net/about-lcec/community-and-education/environment to download the application. Interested organizations must meet certain criteria to be considered for the award including that the funding must be utilized for projects/programs related to the environment and the utility industry and have a demonstrated need for funds. Funding is awarded twice a year with deadlines happening on March 15 and September 1. Nearly $240,000 has been awarded since the program’s inception in 2013. To learn more, visit the Environment page at www.lcec.net or contact pr@lcec.net.

So many ways to save

February 9, 2023 – Little changes can have a big impact on your energy consumption which means savings on your electric bill. The following tips are easy to implement and impactful!  

• Trees: Not only is planting a tree good for the environment, it can help shade your home and keep it cool. Visit lcec.net for information on planting the right tree in the right place.
• Kitchen: Be aware when getting things in and out of the refrigerator since you lose one-third of cold air each time that door opens. If you don’t have an energy efficient fridge yet, invest in one soon! There are many affordable options that will help reduce your electric consumption!
• Laundry: Washing your clothes in hot water can be pricey depending on how many loads you do in a week and what time of day you do them. Consider washing your clothes in cold water to cut down on energy usage.
• Lights: Always turn off lights, ceiling fans, televisions or anything else that is plugged into the wall when not in use. Also, change out incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent. These light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and can last up to 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb!

Simple steps mean savings! For more ways to reduce your energy usage, visit lcec.net.

The down and dirty on dishwashers

February 2, 2023 – Dishwashers work miracles! They rinse, dry, sanitize and so much more. Even better than the bells and whistles of today’s dishwashers is the time savings they provide. They also save water and electricity. But if you aren’t using your dishwasher wisely, this convenience could cost you! According to LCEC energy experts, the average dishwasher costs $0.32 a load. Granted this isn’t a large amount, but depending on how much you run your dishwasher, this could add up quickly. Consider the following to make the most out of each cycle while saving money on your electric bill:

-Use the energy-saving cycles whenever possible.
-If your dishwasher has a booster heater, turn your water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees. Most dishwashers have built-in heaters to boost the water temp up to 140-145 degrees.
-Resist the temptation to pre-rinse dishes. Dishwashers today do a thorough job of cleaning. Just scrape off the excess food and let the dishwasher do the rest. Dishwashers use between 8 to 14 gallons of water per load so save water and electricity by not pre-rinsing.
-Wash only full loads and refrain from hand washing dishes throughout the day. It’s cheaper to put the dishes in the dishwasher and wash them all at once.
-Load the dishwasher according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Remember to fill the racks to maximize energy and water use, but make sure you leave enough room for the water to circulate.

For more energy tips, visit lcec.net.

11th Annual LCEC Goblin Gallop 5k a success

January 23, 2023 – The 11^th Annual Goblin Gallop 5k took place, Saturday, January 7, 2023. More than 140 participants of all ages came out to Jaycee Park in Cape Coral, Florida for this United Way fundraiser. This is the first event hosted at the park since Hurricane Ian impacted the Southwest Florida community in 2022. The Goblin Gallop raised more than $5,200 for the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades. Special thanks to the many LCEC employees and United Way representatives who volunteered their morning to ensure this event was a success. Thank you also to the sponsors and participants whose support and involvement over the years has helped this event raise nearly $30,000 since its inception.

Florida investor-owned utilities experience bill increase in January

January 12, 2023 – Customers of Florida Power & Light (FPL), Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Co. and Florida Public Utilities Co. will see their electric rates increase this month. Rates may increase again for these utilities in the spring due to higher costs of natural gas used to fuel power plants.

Electric bills consist of a combination of different expenses including base rates, fuel costs and environmental costs. Each year, the Public Service Commission (PSC) meets in the fall to discuss costs and how much will be passed on to customers in the coming year.

When rates are discussed, utilities use the benchmark of customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours in a month. In December, the PSC voted for the following costs to take effect in January:

• FPL has two sets of rates due to a merger with the former Gulf Power. FPL residential customers in areas traditionally served by the utility will see 1,000-kilowatt-hour bills go from the current $120.67 to $125.39 in January, and then to $129.59 in February.
• Former Gulf Power customers in Northwest Florida who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity will see their bills go down a penny in January to $155.60, according to the commission, but the bills increase to $159.79 in February.
• Duke customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours will see their bills go from the current $150.02 to $168.90 in January, according to the commission.
• Tampa Electric customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours will see their bills go from $132.66 to $146.72.
• Florida Public Utilities Co. customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours will see their bills go from $142.80 to $175.46.

Utilities can seek “mid-course corrections” if costs are significantly higher than anticipated. Proposals for corrections typically happen in January which will likely increase rates by April. It is anticipated that both FPL and Duke will seek mid-course corrections after they are able to analyze year-end actuals.

Rising costs for essential resources are not just a major concern for investor-owned utilities, but also for cooperatives like LCEC. A Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) increase was implemented for LCEC members in July 2022. This power cost adjustment was the direct result of rising purchased power costs passed on from our power supplier, FPL. Before this increase, LCEC hadn’t had a PCA increase since 2008, but did have five PCA decreases since 2014.

Register now for the LCEC Goblin Gallop 5k

January 4, 2023 – Register before the price increases on Friday, January 6, for the 11th Annual LCEC Goblin Gallop 5k/Kid Run to benefit the United Way. This fun-filled fundraiser is happening January 7, 2023 at Jaycee Park at 4125 S.E. 20th Place in Cape Coral, Florida. The Goblin Gallop was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 29, but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Ian and restoration efforts following the storm.

Registration fees are $30 for the 5K run/walk/virtual before January 6, 2023, and $35 thereafter. The fee for the Kids Fun Run (ages 12 and under) is $15 by January 6, 2023 and $20 thereafter. Packet pickup will be Thursday, January 5, and Friday, January 6, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Run Shoppe at 1407 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904. All virtual racers can pick up their items during packet pickup. Visit www.runsignup.com/goblin2023 for race information and to register. Contact 5k@lcec.net with questions.

The 5k starts at 7:30 a.m. and the Kids Fun Run starts after 5k ends. 

Since its inception, the Goblin Gallop has raised nearly $24,000 to benefit the United Way. LCEC sincerely thanks all the sponsors, volunteers and participants who make the Goblin Gallop a success for the United Way!

Help others this holiday season by enrolling in the LCEC Power to Share by Rounding Up program

December 21, 2022 – If you are looking for a way to touch the lives of others this holiday season, the LCEC Power to Share by Rounding Up program is an incredible option. The LCEC Power to Share program was created in 2009 to assist financially strained customers having difficulty making electric payments. This program is a partnership between LCEC and the United Way, and is funded through generous donations by LCEC employees, business partners, and customers.

In 2020, LCEC expanded this program with the introduction of the Power to Share by Rounding Up program. This program allows participating customers to round up their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar. Customers also have the option to make an additional monthly contribution or make a one-time donation to their bill. With many ways to donate, giving is easy. Customers can enroll and unenroll easily though the LCEC SmartHub, online at lcec.net or over the phone by calling LCEC Customer Care at 239-656-2300.

For more information on the LCEC Power to Share by Rounding Up program or other ways that LCEC positively impacts our community, visit lcec.net. Rounding Up is a simple way to make a huge impact in the lives of others!

Happy Holidays from the LCEC family to yours!

LCEC CEO to Speak at Florida Women in Energy Leadership Forum

December 14, 2022 – LCEC CEO Denise Vidal will co-lead a session at the Florida’s Women in Energy Leadership Forum in Tampa on January 6, 2023, to discuss the collaboration and mutual aid that fueled the post-Hurricane Ian power restoration process in southwest Florida. She will be joined by Melissa Seixas, President of Duke Energy Florida, in a Friday morning session titled, “Reflections: From Tragedy to Collaboration and Mutual Aid.”

“Hurricane Ian was the most devastating event we’ve ever experienced, personally and professionally,” said Vidal. LCEC has more than 400 employees – many of who were without power themselves and worked around the clock to restore power after the storm. “We would not be where we are today without the strong support from our partners and friends throughout the country who pitched in to help when it was most needed.”

After Hurricane Ian made landfall, LCEC accepted aid from more than 50 electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities, including Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy. More than 2,500 crews worked tirelessly together to restore power to the affected communities as quickly as possible, bringing electricity back to more than 90 percent of the homeowners who could receive power less than 14 days after landfall.

During the forum, Vidal will also discuss infrastructure improvements that were made since earlier storms and how those improvements, along with innovative partnerships and mutual aid, dramatically changed the landscape of post-disaster power restoration, creating a model for future use.

The three-day event in Tampa, beginning on January 4, highlights women leaders in the energy industry. The annual forum attracts world-class talent for wide-ranging discussions on a variety of energy-related topics.

LCEC Goblin Gallop 5k happening January 7, 2023

December 12, 2022 – The 11th Annual LCEC Goblin Gallop 5k/Kid Run to benefit the United Way will take place on January 7, 2023 at Jaycee Park at 4125 S.E. 20th Place in Cape Coral, Florida. The Goblin Gallop was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 29, but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Ian and restoration efforts following the storm.

The 5k starts at 7:30 a.m. and the Kids Fun Run starts after 5k ends. 

Registration fees are $30 for the 5K run/walk/virtual before January 6, 2023, and $35 thereafter. The fee for the Kids Fun Run (ages 12 and under) is $15 by January 6, 2023 and $20 thereafter. Packet pickup will be Thursday, January 5, and Friday, January 6, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Run Shoppe at 1407 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904. All virtual racers can pick up their items during packet pickup. Visit www.runsignup.com/goblin2023 for race information and to register. Contact 5k@lcec.net with questions.

Since its inception, the Goblin Gallop has raised nearly $24,000 to benefit the United Way. LCEC sincerely thanks all the sponsors, volunteers and participants who make the Goblin Gallop a success for the United Way!

LCEC and City of Sanibel work together to safely energize the island

October 21, 2022 – LCEC and the City of Sanibel are working in unison to safely energize Sanibel Island. LCEC is focused on the main LCEC circuits first then service lines feeding homes and businesses can be restored. Some areas, with the least amount of damage can begin to receive power by the Estimated Restoration dates, and others will be later based on the damage at their location and the need for repairs to the customer-owned electric system. After electrician repairs and inspection, end-user services can be restored. More specifically, islanders are reminder that:

Buildings where electrical equipment was flooded or damaged by Hurricane Ian, or that have been notified by LCEC that a city inspection is required to obtain power, are required to follow the below steps for the city to notify LCEC that power may be restored:

• All Commercial, Multi-Family, and Single-Family homes with an electrical service greater than 600 amps require a licensed Florida engineer to provide an inspection and approval of the existing electrical equipment.
• If undamaged, please provide the approved for power engineer report to the city at the following email addresses.
• If damaged, a licensed electrical contractor must make the required repairs and then have an engineer reinspect and provide the approved for power engineer report to the city at the following email addresses.
• Once the approved for power report is received, the city will notify LCEC power may be restored.

All Commercial, Multi-Family, and Single-Family homes with an electrical service less than 600 amps require an electrical contractor is required to provide an inspection and approval of the existing electrical equipment.

• If undamaged, please provide the contractors approved for power report to the city at the following email addresses.
• If damaged a licensed electrical contractor must make the required repairs and then contact the city at the following email addresses to schedule an inspection.
• Once the inspection passes, the city will notify LCEC power may be restored.

Islanders should utilize the following links for more information regarding restoration:

• Click here for full guidance information including a listing of licensed electrical contractors.
• Click here for information on what equipment/responsibility is that of LCEC and what is that of LCEC customers.
• Post Hurricane Ian Electrical Safety Inspection form for Engineers.
• Post Hurricane Ian Electrical Safety Inspection form for Contractors.
• To submit the Post Hurricane Ian Electrical Safety Inspection form, please upload and email to IanPowerAffidavit@mysanibel.com.

Visit lcec.net for restoration updates, electrical safety tips and more.

LCEC and Farm Share Host Hurricane Ian Relief SWFL Event

October 18, 2022 – LCEC is proud to partner with Farm Share to host a Hurricane Ian Relief SWFL Event on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event will take place at 4941 Bayline Drive, North Fort Myers, FL 33917, located in front of the LCEC headquarters. The distribution event will provide up to 500 households in our local community with food, hygiene products, baby formula, diapers, and other essentials for those in need following Hurricane Ian. LCEC volunteers in addition to local and state dignitaries will be onsite to assist those in need.

This event falls during National Cooperative Month. One of the seven cooperative principles that guide cooperatives and make them special and unique in their business model is a genuine concern for community. LCEC in partnership with Farm Share is extremely honored and humbled to help those in need as we all work through the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian. Please stop by for what you need and know that LCEC continues to work around the clock to restore power to those who can safely receive it.

Estimated Restoration Times for Sanibel Island – some essential services restored by October 20

October 15, 2022 – Early assessments of Sanibel and Captiva Islands indicated it could take months to rebuild the electric infrastructure. Thanks to many forces working together, the backbone of the system will be rebuilt making it possible to restore power to essential services such as the school, RO Plant, and a Fire Stations which are estimated to be back in power as early as next week, October 20. Once the critical infrastructure is rebuilt, team LCEC and FPL plan to work section by section to energize the island over the next two weeks. By October 23, City Hall and public safety facilities are estimated to be in service. Each section that is rebuilt or repaired makes it possible to connect additional residential and commercial customers, the majority estimated to be restored within 13 days. The harder hit sections of the Island, like North Captiva, will take time to rebuild. Attached is a complete restoration timeline for reference.

What has helped expedite restoration to a devastated barrier island:

1. Assistance from Governor Ron DeSantis and other governmental agencies have been instrumental in overcoming challenges related to access, line worker support, and other resources.
2. 500 FPL line workers were mobilized to the island last week as part of the extended partnership with FPL, the LCEC power supplier. Support also included a generous supply of utility poles and materials, six substation electricians, and many other logistics personnel working shoulder to shoulder with LCEC employees.
3. LCEC critical infrastructure remained strong during and after the storm. After proper assessment, cleaning, analysis, and testing, the transmission line and substation were energized allowing for repairs to the backbone of the system. This will enable homes and businesses to begin receiving power.

Challenges of restoring power to a barrier island:

1. The island has been cut off to vehicular traffic making it difficult to mobilize trucks, materials, supplies, lodging, and utility workers. A one day temporary bridge allowed a large number of vehicles to move over and additional trips must be made by barge and ferry.
2. Much of the island was destroyed, including critical electric infrastructure. Some facilities survived the storm making restoration to those areas quicker.
3. Traffic on the island during a normal day can be slow. After a hurricane, it is even more problematic.
4. Vegetation and debris covers nearly every surface, including where crews need to be to complete work.
5. Water, sand, and salt intrusion make it tough to rebuild facilities, especially in areas where utilities are underground.

Sanibel transmission line expected be energized today

October 14, 2022 – LCEC and FPL crews and support workers, supported by efforts from the Governor’s office, are expected to energize the transmission line on Sanibel Island some time today. It is still early for an estimated restoration time. LCEC serves nearly 11,000 customers on Sanibel and Captiva islands. The goal is to restore power as quickly and safely as possible to those able to receive power and ensure the infrastructure is available for those who will rebuild their homes or businesses destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

Travel to and from the island has been a challenge without the option of vehicular traffic. Mobilization by barge began last week and was not without challenges due to timing of tides, weight restrictions, the quantity and size of the equipment and materials, and the number of workers traveling to the island. Earlier this week, a convoy of hundreds of utility and support trucks and vehicles reached the island through a one-time emergency roadway access supported by Governor DeSantis. This expedited staging and allowed crews to begin preliminary work on the transmission and substation infrastructure.

Assessment, testing, and scrubbing of critical equipment was required before energizing. Simultaneously, crews began working to set poles and prepare installation of wire and other facilities to energize the backbone of the system.

In addition to hundreds of FPL line workers, the restoration operation on the island includes LCEC substation electricians, design engineers, warehouse workers, base camp coordinators, logistics experts, emergency operations representatives, and safety personnel.

Power on Pine Island!

October 13, 2022 – Power on one section of Pine Island was restored yesterday along String Fellow Road. The Fire Stations, RO plant, the town center, the elementary school were energized. Duke Energy and LCEC support teams will begin rebuilding the infrastructure to serve some neighborhoods today.

After a devastating hurricane Pine Island is being restored one pole at a time. LCEC is officially out of storm restoration for the mainland and will be working to restore a few remaining individual services. This includes Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Immokalee, Marco Island, Carnestown, and Naples. If customers are experiencing an outage on the mainland please report the outage by calling 239-656-2300.

LCEC CEO joins Governor and leaders at Sanibel restoration press conference

October 12, 2022 – At a recent press conference, LCEC CEO Denise Vidal joined Governor Ron DeSantis in the announcement of temporary repairs to the Sanibel Causeway. “Hurricane Ian’s tragic level of widespread and long-lasting devastation to our region’s people, homes, businesses, and way of life is unprecedented in Florida’s modern history,” said LCEC CEO, Denise Vidal.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Cayo Costa and ravaged the island causing the only road pathway to Sanibel Island to break in three places. The temporary repairs allowed a one-time deployment of restoration vehicles onto the island to begin restoration. “Here at Ground Zero, we have been fortunate to be working so closely with the Governor’s office and the Florida Department of Emergency Management to secure the resources and equipment needed, like the barge behind us, for this monumental restoration effort.” said Vidal.

LCEC, State, and local officials and an army of restoration partners share the same mission to restore power as quickly as possible for all LCEC members. “We are very thankful to the Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Duke Energy, and Florida Power and Light for helping us secure the many dedicated and specialized mutual aid power crews and other support staff that was needed,” said Vidal. Additional resources came from within Florida and all areas of the country including AL, AR, GA, MO, NC, NJ, NY, TN, and TX. 

“I also have to thank our locals, and Team LCEC who are so resilient – our customers, first responders, and businesses. We have all joined together to help the community rebuild. You see the efforts on every corner, and everyone’s contribution goes a long way to recovery,” said Vidal. LCEC has over 400 employees who began working tirelessly before the storm, continued during, and have not faltered after the storm to support more than 2,300 line workers. 

“This has truly been a Team Florida event. We will continue powering on until all service is restored in our beautiful SW FL communities.” said Vidal.

Staying safe as power is restored to your home and/or business

Safely restoring power to your home and/or business following any hurricane is extensive. After returning to your home and/or business, customers must assess damage and preform clean-up and repairs which can be difficult. Make that time safe and productive by following these tips:

• If your electrical equipment has gotten wet or is near water, turn off the power at the main breaker. If you must enter water to access the main switch, call an electrician to turn it off.
• Do not turn electrical equipment back on until it has been inspected by a qualified electrician.
• Stay clear of downed power lines, as they may still be energized and dangerous. Puddles of water contacting downed lines are just as dangerous.
• Do not trim trees or remove debris located near downed power lines.
• If you must remove debris from in or around your home, do not pile it under or near electrical lines or equipment.
• If appliances were on when the power was lost, make sure all appliances are turned off. If left on, they could pose fire hazards when the power is restored.
• Refrain from using candles and instead, use a battery-operated flashlight as an alternative light source.
• Do not re-freeze food once it begins to thaw.
• Do not use tap water until it is safe. Boil water before drinking until you receive official word that the water is safe.

For more ways to stay safe around electricity, visit lcec.net.

LCEC, FPL, and Duke Energy join Governor Ron DeSantis for power update

October 11, 2022 – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that temporary repairs to the Sanibel Causeway will allow a one-time convoy of power restoration equipment, supplies, and crews to access Sanibel Island and continue restoration efforts. Once crews are on the island, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will resume repairs to restore access to the island for residents, which is expected to be complete by the end of this month.

The temporary repairs to the bridge allowed over 200 bucket trucks, 150 line and pickup trucks towing 50 trailers and 2 tractor trailers to move onto the island, along with additional first responders to cross the bridge and aid in recovery efforts while final road repairs are underway. This includes crews from across the state, Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC), Florida Power and Light and members of the Florida Electric Cooperative Association.

Efforts to restore power to Pine Island are also underway. The Governor spearheaded the mission to construct a temporary bridge to Pine Island, which was in less than three days, allowing power restoration crews to access the island and begin repairs. Led by Duke Energy and LCEC, crews have begun to clear debris and rebuild infrastructure destroyed by the storm. By Thursday, LCEC expects to have power restored to one quarter of Pine Island, including the Island’s center, water treatment plant substation and to centrally located grocery stores. Power is expected to be restored to one third of the island and the Matlacha area by next week. 

LCEC Power Restoration Update – Oct 11 – 8 a.m.

October 11, 2022 – LCEC has restored power to most of its 240,586 customers able to receive power, with the exception of those on Sanibel and Pine Island. Efforts to restore the remaining customers are underway, utilizing more than 1,000 utility personnel on the mainland and hundreds of FPL and Duke Energy workers on Sanibel and Pine Island. LCEC is focused on restoring power to each and every customer, including those on the barrier islands.

LCEC, State, and local officials and an army of restoration partners share the same mission to restore power as quickly as possible for all of our members.  LCEC and its mutual aid partners made great progress yesterday in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers, restoring power to thousands of customers, bringing total customers out of service in Lee County to less than 5%, excluding Pine Island and Sanibel. The current complement of crews from mutual aid partners will remain on restoration efforts, including FPL, Duke Energy, and over 50 cooperatives from AL, FL, TX, LA, and GA until further notice. This team, shoulder to shoulder with LCEC employees, will continue restoring the customers still without power, as well as customers ready to accept power after their repairs are completed and local government has completed their inspections.

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and repair any damage to their home electrical system, if needed, so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. Visit the LCEC Hurricane Guide to learn more.

LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

LCEC Power Restoration Update – Oct. 10 – 7 p.m.

October 10, 2022 – LCEC has restored power to most of its 240,586 customers able to receive power, with the exception of those on Sanibel and Pine Island. Efforts to restore the remaining customers are underway, utilizing about 1,500 utility personnel on the mainland and hundreds of FPL and Duke Power workers on Sanibel and Pine Island. LCEC is focused on restoring power to each and every customer, including those on the barrier islands.

While the early days of restoration focus on large numbers of customers restored quickly, the last remaining efforts often entail work in back yards or areas that are not easily accessed, have extensive damage, or serve small pockets of customers. These challenges will not detract from restoration efforts. Workers will do everything possible to restore as quickly and safely as possible.

Current Outage Numbers:

 2,252    Cape Coral

 796    North Fort Myers

 7,398    Pine Island

10,946    Sanibel

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and repair any damage to their home electrical system, if needed, so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. Visit the LCEC Hurricane Guide to learn more.

LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 10 – 7 a.m.

October 10, 2022 – Crews made good progress yesterday working to restore power to the remaining customers out of power. A harsh lightning storm last evening knocked out power to pockets of customer who had previously been restored and crews will return to restore power at those locations today.

Just over 11,000 customers in Cape Coral remain without power.

Just over 8,000 customers in North Fort Myers remain without power.

The remaining customers are the most difficult in terms of getting large numbers of customer restored at a time. There is typically more damage, debris, or vegetation only impacting a few customers or an individual customer.

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and make repairs any damage to their home electric system if needed so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. Visit the LCEC Hurricane Guide to learn more.

LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

LCEC Power Restoration Update – Oct. 9 – 6:30 a.m.

October 9, 2022 – Today, utility workers continue to work aggressively toward restoring power to the remaining LCEC residents out of service in Lee County. Customers in all other parts of the six-county LCEC service territory are essentially restored with some clean-up remaining and customers unable to receive power making repairs to homes and businesses on their side.

Initially, LCEC set an ESTIMATED restoration time based on a preliminary damage assessment and was so close by the end of the night Saturday. Strengthened by continued support from the Governor’s Office and a powerful army of resources provided by electric cooperatives, Duke Energy, and FPL an incredible amount of rebuilding has been accomplished in the days following the aftermath of the most destructive hurricane in Florida’s history. The optimistic estimate was off the mark by a few percentage and the restoration team will continue to work until every home and business that is able to receive power is brought back online. Then the monumental task to begin to restore power to the barrier islands will begin.

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out
Marco Island	18,749	833
Immokalee	15,456	284
Carnestown	2,911	328
Lehigh Acres	33,000	126
North Fort Myers	47,951	4,328
Cape Coral	76,376	12,900
Total	194,443	18,799
Percentage	91%	9%

*excludes Sanibel, Pine Island and an estimate of customers unable to receive power

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and make repairs any damage to their home electric system if needed so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. Visit the LCEC Hurricane Guide to learn more.

LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

LCEC Power Restoration Update – Oct. 8 – 8 p.m.

October 8, 2022 – Eleven days after Hurricane Ian left an unforgettable mark on Southwest Florida, the monumental effort to repair and rebuild infrastructure, and to restore power to LCEC customers following a historic and unprecedented storm, continues around the clock.

Initial restoration estimates, based on assessments at the time, were hopeful and optimistic. While estimates in some location were on target, some could not account for elements beyond control or for the extent of damage and destruction to LCEC infrastructure. The added challenges of congested roads, supply chain disruptions, and overwhelming debris and vegetation has delayed power restoration to some areas, including communities of LCEC employees and line workers on the restoration team. LCEC shares the same feelings of frustration and remains proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved so far.

As 2,500 utility personnel continue to work unrelentingly to achieve our restoration goal, forward momentum is bolstered by continued support from the Governor’s Office in addition to a powerful backbone of complementary resources provided by electric cooperatives, Duke Energy, and FPL. Resources include restoration crews, substation expertise, and equipment and supplies from all over the country. The work will continue until every home and business that is able to receive power is brought back online. Work continues throughout the evening to get closer to the Estimated Time of Restoration in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.

RESTORATION STATUS:

Broward County              96% Restored

Collier County                  95% Restored

Hendry County              100% Restored

Charlotte County            94% Restored

Lee County                       84% Restored* 

*Restored = all customers able to receive power and excludes Sanibel and Pine Island.

*Lee County area breakdown will be available again tomorrow morning to reflect tonight’s work.

Customer Reminders:

• It’s important to understand that LCEC is only part of the power restoration process. If a home or business has been flooded or has sustained damage, it may need additional repairs before it can receive power. A licensed electrician must inspect and repair the electrical system and proper government inspections must be received before service can be reconnected and make any necessary repairs.
• Ask for proof of proper professional licensure before allowing contractors to begin this type of work on your property.

Customers waiting for power to be restored should switch off the breakers to avoid a potentially unsafe situation when lines reconnect. Power surges can also cause significant damage to appliances.

LCEC helps deliver internet and cellular to barrier islands

October 8, 2022 – LCEC is partnering with Crown Castle to provide a Verizon connection through the fiber optic cables from the LCEC transmission line in Cape Coral. The focus of this collaboration is to restore internet and cellular service to Pine Island and Sanibel-Captiva Island. LCEC is also working with Comcast and Lumen to provide access to the islands through LCEC fiber optic circuits. This work with the Verizon towers is anticipated to be completed in very near future.

LCEC is proud to work in unison with these companies to enable them to quickly restore internet and cellular service to our precious barrier islands after their facilities were ravaged during Hurricane Ian.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 8 – 6 a.m.

October 8, 2022 – LCEC employees and the army of mutual aid line workers, tree trimmers, suppliers, vendors, local and state officials, and community supporters reached the 72  percent  restoration mark this morning. Many parts of its six-county territory have been mostly restored for customers able to receive power.

Close to 2,500 crews will continue with the monumental task of restoring power to the remaining customers over the weekend. Planning is also underway to begin work on the barrier islands of Sanibel and Pine Island. LCEC and its members have been supported by the following mutual aid and many more throughout the restoration process.

• 400 LCEC employees working tirelessly before, during, and after the storm to support more than 2,300 line workers requiring fuel, material and supplies, crew coordination, food, lodging, laundry, technology, and everything it takes restore power.
• Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Electric Cooperative Association are helping in many ways including to bring additional line worker and tree trimmer resources to the area and options for accessing the barrier islands.
• Hundreds of electric cooperative crews and contractors from across the nation arrived before the storm and additional crews joined the effort in the aftermath.
• Line workers and support personnel from Duke Energy arrived this week to help restore power in Cape Coral and will then deploy to Pine Island to bring power to those who can receive power safely.
• Florida Power & Light (FPL) is preparing to deploy a restoration workforce of a few hundred with a coordination team, critical materials and electrical equipment, logistics support, and help coordination with a barge to transport bucket trucks to Sanibel Island.

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	18,937	645	19,582
Immokalee	15,569	171	15,740
Carnestown	2,952	287	3,239
Lehigh Acres	32,980	146	33,126
North Fort Myers	40,925	15,354	56,279
Cape Coral	61,047	33,229	94,276
Pine Island	0	7,398	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946	10,946
Total	172,410	68,176	240,586
Percentage	72%	28%

*Restoration numbers percentage does not include Pine Island & Sanibel until access to the islands is possible.

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and make repairs to their weather head and any damage to their home electric system if needed so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. Visit the LCEC Hurricane Guide to learn more.

LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 7 – 5:30 p.m.

P.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	18,924	658	19,582
Immokalee	15,435	305	15,740
Carnestown	2,957	282	3,239
Lehigh Acres	32,829	297	33,126
North Fort Myers	35,314	20,965	56,279
Cape Coral	53,198	41,078	94,276
Pine Island	0	7,398	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946	10,946
Total	158,657	81,929	240,586
Percentage	66%	34%

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 7. – 7 a.m.

October 7, 2022 – A week into restoration of power to SWFL after the most destructive hurricane in the area’s history, LCEC has restored power to 62 percent of its six-county customer base ready to receive power. Complete restoration is a monumental task, especially on the barrier islands of Sanibel and Pine Island. LCEC and its members have been supported by the following mutual aid and many more throughout the restoration process.

• 400 LCEC employees working tirelessly before, during, and after the storm to support more than 2,300 line workers requiring fuel, material and supplies, crew coordination, food, lodging, laundry, technology, and everything it takes restore power.
• Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Electric Cooperative Association are helping in many ways including to bring additional line worker and tree trimmer resources to the area and options for accessing the barrier islands.
• Hundreds of electric cooperative crews and contractors from across the nation arrived before the storm and additional crews joined the effort in the aftermath.
• Line workers and support personnel from Duke Energy arrived this week to help restore power in Cape Coral and will then deploy to Pine Island to bring power to those who can receive power safely.
• Florida Power & Light (FPL) is preparing to deploy a restoration workforce of a few hundred with a coordination team, critical materials and electrical equipment, logistics support, and help coordination with a barge to transport bucket trucks to Sanibel Island.

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	18,917	665	19,582
Immokalee	15,618	122	15,740
Carnestown	2,934	305	3,239
Lehigh Acres	32,974	152	33,126
North Fort Myers	31,570	24,709	56,279
Cape Coral	46,033	48,243	94,276
Pine Island	0	7,398	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946	10,946
Total	148,046	92,540	240,586
Percentage	62%	38%

*Restoration numbers percentage does not include Pine Island & Sanibel until access to the islands is possible.

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and make repairs to their weather head and any damage to their home electric system if needed so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. Visit the LCEC Hurricane Guide to learn more.

LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 6 – 6 p.m.

P.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	18,878	704	19,582
Immokalee	15,593	147	15,740
Carnestown	2,923	316	3,239
Lehigh Acres	32,766	360	33,126
North Fort Myers	28,859	27,420	56,279
Cape Coral	34,586	59,690	94,276
Total	133,605	88,637	222,242
Percentages	60%	40%

*Excludes Sanibel and Pine Island until access is possible and restoration begins.

Assessing damage to your home and business following Hurricane Ian

October 6, 2022 – LCEC urges customers remaining without power to inspect damage to their home or business as a result of Hurricane Ian. It is essential to understand what LCEC is responsible for and what the customer is responsible for.

Use caution and be aware of possible downed power lines. Visually inspect the electric facilities that bring power into your home or business. This includes the weather head, the riser conduit that covers the wires, and the meter can. If there is damage, a licensed electrician must make repairs. If water has entered the home through flooding or rainwater seeping into the walls around electric wiring, a licensed electrician should inspect to determine potential damage.

If overhead electric lines power the home or business, keep the following in mind when inspecting and planning for repairs:

LCEC is responsible for:

• Service drop – these are the wires running from our pole to your home
• Electric meter – this device measures your electricity usage in kilowatt-hours

Customers own and are responsible for repairing:

• Weatherhead and insulator – this is located where our electric lines connect to your home
• Service entrance cable – this wire extends from your weatherhead to the meter and from the meter to the fuse box or circuit breaker
• Meter can – your electric meter is mounted in this box
• Fuse box and circuit breaker box – this is the service panel that houses your fuses or circuit breaker
• Wiring – this is the interior wiring that moves electricity through your home

It is important to remember that:

• Restoring power to damaged facilities could cause a fire.
• Once repaired, customer owned electric systems must be inspected by local government officials before power can be restored.
• LCEC repairs damage to the electric grid facilities and electric meters. Customers are responsible for repairs to the meter box, including pipes and wires coming into and out of the box as well as the house.
• If your home or business has structural damage or water intrusion, turn off your electricity at the breaker panel.

Customers and line workers alike play an important role in the safety and reliability of electric service. For restoration updates, safety tips and more, visit lcec.net.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 6 – 6 a.m.

October 6, 2022 – The effort to restore power to customers in SWFL is a collaboration of State and local agencies, cooperatives, investor-owned, and municipal utilities, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and hundreds of support personnel.

At the end of today, there will be just over 2,300 line and vegetation crews working on power restoration to the remaining LCEC customers without power. Additional crews are becoming available as needed until all customers able to receive power are restored.

• A convoy of 350 line workers and support personnel from Duke Energy will arrive this morning to help restore power in Cape Coral.
• Thanks to assistance from Governor Ron DeSantis expediting road access to Pine Island, it will be possible for Duke Energy crews to begin restoration on Pine Island as soon as customers in other areas of the service territory are restored. Once access to Sanibel is possible rebuilding will also begin there.
• At the same time, LCEC expanded its partnership with FPL to address supply chain disruptions, set up a base camp to house and feed line workers, and partner with specialized substation engineers.

Restoration Progress:

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	17,493	2,089	19,582
Immokalee	15,600	140	15,740
Carnestown	2,814	425	3,239
Lehigh Acres	32,872	254	33,126
North Fort Myers	25,903	30,376	56,279
Cape Coral	25,758	68,518	94,276
Pine Island	0	7,398	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946	10,946
Total	120,440	101,802	222,242
Percentage	54%	46%

*Restoration percentage does not include Pine Island & Sanibel until access to the islands is possible.

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and make repairs to their weather head and any damage to their home electric system if needed so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. Visit the LCEC Hurricane Guide to learn more.

LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 5. – p.m.

P.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	17,414	2,168	19,582
Immokalee	15,571	169	15,740
Carnestown	2,905	334	3,239
Lehigh Acres	32,547	579	33,126
North Fort Myers	23,710	32,569	56,279
Cape Coral	20,077	74,199	94,276
Totals	112,224	110,018	222,242

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 5 – 6 a.m.

October 5, 2022 – LCEC added an additional 700 line workers and tree-trimmers to the team working tirelessly to restore power throughout some of the hardest hit areas in the LCEC service territory.

These crews, working beside LCEC employees, will continue to repair main circuits in Lee County including the areas of Lehigh Acres and North Fort Myers. A large complement of crews will also focus on restoring the backbone infrastructure in Cape Coral in order to enable more and more restoration of neighborhoods and businesses. At the same time, crews are focused on wrapping up restoration in Collier and Charlotte Counties where the impact of Ian was also felt by customers in the LCEC communities of Everglades City, Immokalee, Golden Gate Estates, Marco Island, and Punta Gorda.

Duke Energy crews will arrive in SWFL tomorrow to help and will then be utilized to begin work on Pine Island later this week. The additional assistance and collaboration with the Governor’s office will continue until all power is restored to Pine Island and Sanibel.

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and make repairs to their weather head and any damage to their home electric system if needed so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. Visit the LCEC Hurricane Guide to learn more.

LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out
Marco Island	17,098	2,484
Immokalee	15,513	227
Carnestown	2,846	393
Lehigh Acres	32,641	485
North Fort Myers	19,569	36,710
Cape Coral	13,057	81,219
Pine Island	0	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946
Total	100,724	121,518
Percentage	45%	55%

*included are Broward, Hendry, Charlotte, and Miami Dade LCEC customers

*excluded are Sanibel Island, Captiva, Pine Island

LCEC is working with Florida Electric Cooperatives to double the amount of mutual aid in the coming days. These additional resources come from within Florida and all areas of the country including AL, AR, GA, MO, NC, NJ, NY, MO, TN, and TX.

Residential and business damage following Hurricane Ian

October 4, 2022 – Hurricane Ian ravaged SWFL. Our thoughts and hearts are with all of those who were impacted by this unprecedented storm. As you begin to inspect your home, use caution and be aware of possible downed power lines. Visually inspect the electric facilities that bring power into your home or business. This includes the weather head, the riser conduit that covers the wires, and the meter can. If there is damage, you must contact a licensed electrician to make repairs. If water has entered the home through flooding or rainwater seeping into the walls around electric wiring, a licensed electrician should inspect to determine potential damage.

It is important to remember that:

• Restoring power to damaged facilities could cause a fire.
• Once repaired, your system must be inspected by local government officials before power can be restored.
• LCEC repairs damage to the electric grid facilities and electric meters. Customers are responsible for repairs to the meter box, including pipes and wires coming into and out of the box as well as the house.
• If your home or business has structural damage or water intrusion, turn off your electricity at the breaker panel.

For restoration updates, safety tips and more, visit lcec.net.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 4 – 6 a.m.

October 4, 2022 – With a complement of more than 1,000 local and out of state line workers and tree-trimmers, some secured through mutual aide, and hundreds of support personnel, LCEC is making great progress restoring power to homes and businesses throughout Southwest Florida.  Just over 41% of the six-county service territory has been restored over the past five days, excluding Sanibel and Pine Island which are not accessible to line crews. The number of restoration workers will grow to 2,000 by this weekend as additional crews arrive today and tomorrow. Preliminary work on the islands will continue to prepare for restoration in those locations when possible, with the main focus on customers throughout the LCEC service territory who are able to receive power now.

Customers out of power at this time are urged to inspect and make repairs to their weather head and any damage to their home electric system if needed so they are able to receive power when restoration crews reach their area. LCEC reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines, turn off breakers until power is restored, and use generators safely to protect themselves and crews working on lines in their neighborhood.

Current restoration numbers are as follows:

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out
Marco Island	17,098	2,484
Immokalee	15,444	296
Carnestown	2,783	456
Lehigh Acres	31,845	1,281
North Fort Myers	17,514	38,765
Cape Coral	6,535	87,741
Total	91,219	131,023
Percentage	41%	59%

*included are Broward, Hendry, Charlotte, and Miami Dade LCEC customers

*excluded are Sanibel Island, Captiva, Pine Island

LCEC is working with Florida Electric Cooperatives and the Governor’s office to double the amount of mutual aid in the coming days. Line crews secured before the storm’s impact and these additional resources come from within Florida and all areas of the country including AL, AR, GA, MO, NC, NJ, NY, MO, TN, and TX.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 3 – 6 p.m.

October 3, 2022 – LCEC has approximately 1,000 workers (line, tree, and support personnel) working on restoration at this time. This number will grow to 2,000 restoration workers by this weekend. Current restoration numbers are as follows:

P.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out
Marco Island	17,098	2,484
Immokalee	15,395	345
Carnestown	2,765	474
Lehigh Acres	30,199	2,927
North Fort Myers	15,081	41,198
Cape Coral	5,429	88,847
Pine Island	0	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946
	85,967	154,619
	36%	64%

LCEC is working with the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association to double the amount of mutual aid in the coming days. These additional resources come from within Florida and all areas of the country including AL, AR, GA, MO, NC, NJ, NY, MO, TN, and TX.

LCEC Estimated Restoration Dates

October 3 – “LCEC continues to expand the number of crews coming into our area to restore electric service in our devastated communities. In doing so, our goal is to restore our members’ power as quickly as possible given the conditions in our communities,” said LCEC CEO, Denise Vidal.

“We are also working closely with, and appreciate, the coordination and resources devoted to this complex effort by Gov. DeSantis, state and local agencies and officials. The Governor’s leadership of our state’s recovery and his compassion for our citizens is inspiring to all who are partnering in this response. This coordination is imperative as we recover and meet the needs of our customers and the communities we serve.”

LCEC genuinely appreciates the duress that our customers are facing and are fully committed to working with hundreds of line workers, construction and vegetation crews, and support employees to repair our heavily damaged system as safely and quickly as possible. Please continue to be mindful of safety around downed power lines and thank you for the kindness that many are showing to our crews.

Following are LCEC estimated times of restoration for most affected areas. The timeframes provided are based on worst-case scenarios, and it is possible power will be restored sooner to the locations able to receive power.

Estimated Restoration Times:

• Broward County is essentially restored.

• Charlotte County – estimated to be 95 percent restored by end of day Saturday, October 8.

• Collier County (excluding Marco Island) – estimated to be 95 percent restored by end of day Saturday, October 8.

• Marco Island is currently 40 percent restored with specific areas still being assessed for restoration alternatives. It is estimated to be 95 percent restored by end of day Tuesday, October 4.

• Hendry County – estimated to be 95 percent restored by end of day Wednesday, October 5.

• Lee County (excluding Pine Island and Sanibel / Captiva Islands) – estimated to be 95 percent restored by end of day Saturday, October 8.

• Pine Island estimated restoration time will be determined once access to the island is established.

• Sanibel and Captiva Islands estimated restoration time will be determined once access to the island is established.

“Essentially Restored” is when more than 95 percent of customers able to take service are energized.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 3 – 6 a.m.

October 3, 2022 – LCEC will add additional crews toward efforts to restore electric service in devastated SWFL communities. The LCEC plan is to restore members’ power as quickly as possible given the conditions of our service territory. We continue to work closely with Governor DeSantis and appreciate the resources being devoted to this monumental effort.

Current restoration numbers are as follows:

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out
Marco Island	16,673	2,909
Immokalee	14,047	1,693
Carnestown	2,652	587
Lehigh Acres	25,631	7,495
North Fort Myers	12,388	43,891
Cape Coral	5,429	88,847
Pine Island	0	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946
	76,820	163,766
	32%	68%

LCEC is working with the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association to double the amount of mutual aid in the coming days. Additional workers and teams continue to converge on the disaster zone to support LCEC, in addition to the approximately 1,000 workers (line, tree, and support personnel) in the field. These additional resources come from within Florida and all areas of the country including AL, AR, GA, MO, NC, NJ, NY, MO, TN, and TX. We are continuing to bring more people in to assist our community in recovering and restoring power. 

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 2 – 6 p.m.

October 2, 2022 – “Lee County Electric Cooperative continues to expand its restoration efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Our community is resilient, and we ask for patience and support as we all come together to rebuild. More resources are being brought in daily as we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” said LCEC CEO, Denise Vidal. “This unprecedented recovery requires a substantial rebuild in the hardest hit communities. We also thank Governor DeSantis for his unwavering leadership and his constant support of our community and our cooperative.”

Current restoration numbers are as follows:

P.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out
Marco Island	10,737	8,845
Immokalee	13,694	2,046
Carnestown	2,675	564
Lehigh Acres	22,714	10,412
North Fort Myers	5,920	50,359
Cape Coral	4,498	89,778
Pine Island	0	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946
	60,238 (25%)	180,348 (75%)

LCEC is working with the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association to double the amount of mutual aid in the coming days. Additional workers and teams continue to converge on the disaster zone to support LCEC, in addition to the approximately 1,000 workers (line, tree, and support personnel) in the field. These additional resources come from within Florida and all areas of the country including AL, AR, GA, MO, NC, NJ, NY, MO, TN, and TX. We are continuing to bring more people in to assist our community in recovering and restoring power. 

LCEC Power Restoration Update

October 2, 2022 – “Lee County Electric Cooperative continues to expand its restoration efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian. More resources are being brought in daily as we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” said LCEC CEO, Denise Vidal. “This unprecedented recovery requires a substantial rebuild in the hardest hit communities. We thank Governor DeSantis for his unwavering leadership and his constant support of our community and our cooperative.”

• As of 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 2, LCEC has restored power to 24 percent of our customers. LCEC is working with the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association (FECA) to double the amount of mutual aid in the coming days.
• Additional workers and teams continue to converge on the disaster zone to support LCEC, including, approximately 1,000 workers (600+ line and 200 tree personnel), and hundreds of support team members.  In addition to the LCEC local crews and contractors, these resources come from within Florida and all areas of the country including AL, AR, GA, MO, NC, NJ, NY, MO, TN, and TX. 
• As additional line crews and support staff arrive, LCEC will continue to reevaluate the estimated restoration times for the customers who can receive power.

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out
Marco Island	10,459	9,123
Immokalee	12,998	2,742
Carnestown	439	2,800
Lehigh Acres	24,302	8,824
North Fort Myers	5,609	50,670
Cape Coral	4,498	89,778
Pine Island	0	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946
	58,305	182,281
	24%	76%

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 2 – 6 a.m.

October 2, 2022 – As soon as the storm passed, LCEC had 1,000 boots on the ground to restore power. Daily progress is being made in the areas where customers are able to receive power, including Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Immokalee, Everglades City, Lehigh Acres, and Marco Island. LCEC has restored power to more than 50% of customers in Marco Island, Immokalee, and Lehigh Acres. Work continues to restore the main circuits that serve customers in Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Everglades City and other pockets within the service territory.

Current restoration numbers are as follows:

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	10,459	9,123	19,582
Immokalee	12,998	2,742	15,740
Carnestown	439	2,800	3,239
Lehigh Acres	24,302	8,824	33,126
North Fort Myers	5,609	50,670	56,279
Cape Coral	4,498	89,778	94,276
Pine Island	0	7,398	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946	10,946

Customers are urged to use generators safely to protect their families and workers on the system, turn off breakers in their homes until power is restore, and remain patient. They may not see trucks on their street but crews are working in the area and will continue to work until all power is restored to those able to receive it.

The catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ian is something that has not been experienced before and there are many developments that are new when we consider the widespread flood damage and inaccessibility to some of our barrier islands. LCEC has upward of 600 line crews and 135 tree trimming crews with additional crews arriving this weekend. Customers do not need to call LCEC as we are aware of what circuits are without power.

LCEC Restoration Update – Oct. 1 – 6 p.m.

October 1, 2022 – LCEC line crews are braving the elements as we work to deliver power and normalcy to our customers. Employees are working tirelessly to restore power to customers. Customers do not need to call LCEC as we are aware of what circuits are without power.

Current restoration numbers are as follows:

P.M. Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out	Total Cust
Marco Island	7,116	12,466	19,582
Immokalee	8,442	7,298	15,740
Carnestown	427	2,812	3,239
Lehigh Acres	18,230	14,896	33,126
North Fort Myers	905	55,374	56,279
Cape Coral	0	94,276	94,276
Pine Island	0	7,398	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946	10,946

LCEC Restoration Updates – Oct. 1 – 6 a.m.

October 1, 2022 – Nearly 1,000 resources will have boots on the ground again today to restore power to LCEC customers.  All but three of the 23 LCEC substations were energized yesterday and crews will begin to do work to restore the main circuits. The next phase of restoration will be to safely bring power back to the largest number of customers in areas including Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Immokalee, Everglades City, Lehigh Acres, and Marco Island. Then crews will focus on smaller pockets of outages and individual services.

Customers are urged to use generators safely to protect their families and workers on the system, turn off breakers in their homes until power is restored, and remain patient. They may not see trucks on their street but crews are working in the area and will continue to work until all power is restored to those able to receive it.

Current restoration numbers are as follows:

A.M Area Update	Cust. On	Cust. Out
Marco Island	7116	19,582
Immokalee	8,442	7,298
Carnestown	427	2,812
Lehigh Acres	16,604	16,522
North Fort Myers	905	55,374
Cape Coral	0	94,276
Pine Island	0	7,398
Sanibel	0	10,946
	26,378	214,208

The catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ian is something that has not been experienced before and there are many developments that are new when we consider the widespread flood damage and inaccessibility to some of our barrier islands. LCEC has upward of 600 line crews and 135 tree trimming crews with additional crews arriving this weekend. Customers do not need to call LCEC as we are aware of what circuits are without power.

Widespread power outages – damage assessment today

September 29, 2022 – Just over 90 percent of LCEC customers are without power today. In accordance with utility best-practices, damage assessment will take place throughout the six-county service territory today and into tomorrow. More than 500 crews and additional LCEC field employees began evaluating the entire electric grid to determine the quickest strategy to energize main circuits this morning. Depending on their ability to navigate flooded areas, downed bridges, debris, and vegetation, this could take more than one day.

What can customers do?

• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Turn off the main breaker to their home/business.
• Operate generators safely
• Help neighbors
• Do not call to report an outage – utilities know the power is out and are working as quickly, safely, and smartly to restore power.

LCEC Power Update

September 29, 2022 – Just over 90 percent of LCEC customers are without power today. In accordance with utility best-practices, damage assessment will take place throughout the six-county service territory today and into tomorrow. More than 500 crews and additional LCEC field employees began evaluating the entire electric grid to determine the quickest strategy to energize main circuits this morning. Depending on their ability to navigate flooded areas, downed bridges, debris, and vegetation, this could take more than one day.

What can customers do?

• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Turn off the main breaker to their home/business.
• Operate generators safely
• Help neighbors
• Do not call to report an outage – utilities know the power is out

and are working as quickly, safely, and smartly to restore power.

Generator safety tips from LCEC

Wind and debris from Hurricane Ian could cause power outages. Crews are ready to respond and LCEC does not expect extended outages requiring backup power supply. For those customers planning to use a generator, safety is of the utmost importance. Please consider the following tips to keep you, your family, and utility workers safe while using a generator:

• Don’t connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring at the breaker panel or meter or a regular household outlet. Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can ‘back feed’ onto the power lines connected to your home. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.
• The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch. The transfer switch transfers power from the utility power lines to the power coming from your generator.
• Connect individual appliances that have their outdoor-rated power cords directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator with the appropriate outdoor-rated power cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
• Don’t overload the generator. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment.
• Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Just like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Be sure to place the generator where exhaust fumes will not enter the house, in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport.
• Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it’s running. Gasoline (and other flammable liquids) should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. They should not be stored in a garage if a fuel-burning appliance is in the garage. The vapor from gasoline can travel invisibly along the ground and be ignited by pilot lights or electric arcs caused by turning on the lights. Avoid spilling fuel on hot components. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator.
• Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.

Generator safety tips from LCEC

September 27, 2022 – Wind and debris from Hurricane Ian could cause power outages. Crews are ready to respond and LCEC does not expect extended outages requiring backup power supply. For those customers planning to use a generator, safety is of the utmost importance. Please consider the following tips to keep you, your family, and utility workers safe while using a generator:

• Don’t connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring at the breaker panel or meter or a regular household outlet. Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can ‘back feed’ onto the power lines connected to your home. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.
• The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch. The transfer switch transfers power from the utility power lines to the power coming from your generator.
• Connect individual appliances that have their outdoor-rated power cords directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator with the appropriate outdoor-rated power cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
• Don’t overload the generator. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment.
• Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Just like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Be sure to place the generator where exhaust fumes will not enter the house, in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport.
• Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it’s running. Gasoline (and other flammable liquids) should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. They should not be stored in a garage if a fuel-burning appliance is in the garage. The vapor from gasoline can travel invisibly along the ground and be ignited by pilot lights or electric arcs caused by turning on the lights. Avoid spilling fuel on hot components. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator.
• Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.

Stay safe!