Thread: Massive power outage hits Florida

Massive power outage hits FloridaStory Highlights
Outages occur as far north as Jacksonville on east coast; Tampa on west coast

About 4.4 million customers across Florida affected, utility says

No immediate concern concern that terrorism behind outage, officials say

Outage occurs after rainstorms, but cause of outage not immediately known

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MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Massive power outages struck Florida on Tuesday afternoon, with power reported out from Miami to Jacksonville on the east coast and as far north as Tampa on the Gulf Coast, police and utility officials said.


Motorists try to navigate an intersection after traffic lights go dark.

About 4.4 million customers across South Florida were affected, Florida Power and Light Co. officials said.

The outage struck shortly after 1 p.m. ET as scattered thunderstorms passed through the region.

But the cause of the outage was not immediately known.

In Washington, officials at the Department of Homeland Security said there was no immediate concern that terrorism was behind the outage.

Stan Johnson, a spokesman for the North American Electric Reliability Council, said eight power plants were off-line across the region.

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He said that officials believe the outage has been contained.

Detective Robert Williams, a Miami-Dade County police spokesman, said power was out across the entire county.

Outages stretched into neighboring Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale, he said.



In Palm Beach County, spotty outages ranged from Riviera Beach to Boca Raton, said sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera.

Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are home to nearly 6 million people. E-mail to a friend
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/26/florid ... topstories

When I lived in Florida the power was always going out. A breeze would blow and it was out. A surge and it was out.

FPL is out in SW Florida but my electric is still on because I belong to a co-op LCEC.

May God help them if they do not get those lights back on before nightfall. The rule used to be, before 9/11 changed things somewhat, that power out after sunset over major metro areas equaled civil unrest in certain communities.

W

No TV Tonight= more anchor baby's on the way

jimpasz,

naughty, naughty, naughty boy you are.

maybe it'll be too hot and they'll just sit around outside and party the night away.

Crime in certain parts of southern Florida are bad enough already. If the power isnt restored by dark, WATCH OUT!