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About 100 Lakeland Electric customers still remain without power three weeks after Hurricane Milton; damage to their home or electric service connections means power cannot be restored safely until repairs are made, Lakeland Electric spokeswoman Cathryn Lacey said.
The repairs can often cost property owners $3,000 to $6,000, an amount that is hard for a lot of people to come up with quickly.
Elderly and disabled: Among the people still without power are Harry Dubia, 67, and three of his five adopted children who live with him in their home on Glen Meadow Drive in north Lakeland.
During the storm, a front-yard maple tree “exploded,” with one branch landing on his roof, he said.
In addition, the pole holding his electric meter snapped off at the ground and is still lying behind his home, along with his weatherhead – the device at the top of the pole where the power lines enter the home.
“Lakeland Electric wouldn’t do anything,” Dubia explained. “An out-of-state truck came and disconnected the power so when the line became hot, no one would get electrocuted in my yard. We all pay our bill and then they desert us like this. Especially senior citizens.”
Owner’s responsibility: Dubia was unaware before this that the pole, meter and weatherhead are his responsibility to fix and/or replace if damaged. He is divorced, on disability and works a part-time job to care for his three children who live with him and simply doesn’t have the several thousand dollars needed for repairs and replacements.
“They expect the customer to replace a very expensive pole and the hardware for electricity,” he said. “I still can’t understand it. I can give you their reasoning behind it – it’s not theirs. The pole (attached to the house) is not theirs. I’m disabled. I’m on oxygen and a Lakeland Electric employee told me if you’re having trouble breathing, go to the hospital.”
Social media help: A friend lent Dubia a generator and the friend’s wife took to social media over the weekend to ask for help.
Keily Summers Potter said her nephew, who works for Lakeland Electric, recommended she ask the power company to place a temporary 4×4 or 6×6 post on the property until he can raise the money to put the pole back up. But she was told it would require a permit and a Lakeland Electric representative on the phone recommended she ask for help on the We Live in Lakeland and Have Questions Facebook page.
“Y’all, I really want to try to help this man and his family,” she wrote. “If anyone believes they can help this family, knows of a company possibly willing to help at little or no cost, or if you have recommendations on where to go next, please DM me.”
Stepping up: Within a few hours, Potter had lined up two electricians to help and a woman to pay for any expenses. Dubia said he was told a worker with WCM Construction would be out on Friday morning with a new pole.
“This gentleman has offered to do this at no cost to us and I think that’s just incredible,” Dubia said.
Organizations that can help: Lacey said she understands there are a number of people who can’t afford the estimated $3,000 to $6,000 it is costing to make these repairs.
She listed some agencies where people can turn for help. “These organizations have great resources for those needing assistance and are opportunities for people looking to donate after this emergency,” she said. They are:
- Crisis Cleanup – coordinates volunteer workers and reduces duplication of efforts.
- Hope Florida – a nonprofit agency that fosters collaboration between public, faith-based, non-profit and private sectors.
- Disaster Assistance – provides disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance.
- The American Red Cross – international aid organization that provides shelter and food to people affected by disasters.
- The United Way of Central Florida – identifies needs and mobilizes vetted resources to help.
- Volunteer Florida –- a state agency that coordinates volunteers and funding to disaster areas.
“As soon as these customers call (863) 834-9535 to inform us that repairs have been made, we will restore their power,” Lacey said.
Combee Connection and United Way of Central Florida hosted an event on Wednesday for hurricane relief to connect residents with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials and other resources.
More than 450 people from 145 families received help at the event, with 180 KidsPacks handed out and nearly 300 toiletry kits distributed, according to Katherine Fitzwater, United Way of Central Florida vice-president of marketing and communications. In addition, FEMA officials said 200 people signed up for assistance.
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