Lakeland Electric says it will restore service by Wednesday – two days earlier than previously expected – to all customers able to safely receive power.

The focus of recovery efforts is now on easements and backyards that can’t be reached by bucket trucks and linemen have to climb poles, the utility said today.

As of 9:40 today, 5,144 customers were without power in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, according to Lakeland Electric’s outage map. The number was down to 3,862 by 2:50 p.m.

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Power is expected to be restored today for all customers in northeast Lakeland who can safely receive power, the utility said. Earlier, that work had been expected to be completed on Tuesday. In addition, heavy work is being performed in the New Tampa Highway area.

Delays can be expected for certain houses and businesses: “Customers with damaged electrical equipment or those currently contending with flooding may be unable to safely receive power until the floodwaters recede or their equipment undergoes assessment and repair by a qualified electrician,” Lakeland Electric said.

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Barry Friedman founded Lkldnow.com in 2015 as the culmination of a career in print and digital journalism. Since 1982, he has used the tools of reporting, editing and content curation to help people in Lakeland understand their community better.

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