Florida Public Power Utilities Prepared for Hurricane Season

STATEMENT BY:
Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association

"Hurricane season is officially upon us. For many Floridians who enjoyed a less active 2025 storm season, June signals the time to start hurricane preparation – updating emergency supply kits, reviewing family safety plans and testing generators, flashlights and other necessities.

For Florida’s public power utilities, it is one more month in our year-long hurricane preparation schedule. Throughout the year, Florida public power utilities take steps to ensure their systems are resilient and reliable and their organizations – and people – are ready to respond.

In addition to trimming trees away from power lines, as well as inspecting and upgrading utility poles and equipment, Florida’s public power utilities prepare for storms by making investments that will strengthen their electrical systems and modernize their electrical grids.

Utilities also conduct emergency response exercises and simulations with all levels of staff and partners throughout the community to test disaster plans and improve communication and coordination.

Additionally, Florida is part of a strong nationwide network of mutual aid partners, cemented with longstanding mutual aid agreements that enable electric utilities to call on each other for skilled emergency workers and supplies when in need.

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), which represents the unified interests of 33 public power communities across the state, coordinates mutual aid in advance of, during and after severe weather events, including hurricanes.

This support structure has served Florida well especially after facing widespread power outages following recent hurricanes. Through our mutual aid agreements, FMEA brought to bear the assistance of thousands of line workers, tree-clearing crews and other personnel from utilities located all over the country prior to these storms even hitting our shores.

Thanks to the hard work and preparation of Florida’s public power utilities, along with the helping hands of fellow public power crews, Florida public power’s storm response to recent major hurricanes was quick and efficient. On average, Florida public power utilities were able to restore power one to two days sooner than other Florida electric utilities.

Our mutual aid network is a big part of public power utilities’ storm readiness and it’s something we work to enhance and expand upon all year. I have the honor of currently serving as the chair of the American Public Power Association’s Mutual Aid Committee. Through this role, and in close collaboration with other public power mutual aid experts, I hope to further strengthen the public power mutual aid network and ensure communities across the country can depend on rapid, coordinated assistance when disasters strike.

While we all are hoping for another quiet hurricane season, it only takes one storm. We must always remain vigilant and prepared. Florida public power utilities are prepared, and I encourage every Floridian to do the same."