**Duke Energy Florida Initiates Restoration Efforts Post-Hurricane Milton with Estimated Timelines**

In response to Hurricane Milton, Duke Energy Florida has mobilized a substantial workforce of 16,000 resources and numerous crews, working tirelessly through the night to restore power. The company has now provided estimated timelines for power restoration, aiming to reassure customers that electricity will be restored within days, not weeks.

"We want to alleviate our customers' concerns and reassure them that they'll have their power back on within days - not weeks," stated Todd Fountain, Duke Energy Florida storm director. He expressed gratitude for the dedication of the team, the support from local officials and first responders, and the patience of the customers.

To report power outages, customers have multiple options: visiting the Duke Energy website, using the mobile app, texting OUT to 57801, or calling the automated outage reporting system. Furthermore, customers whose properties require repairs to meter bases, breaker panels, or wiring should seek guidance from local municipalities, as inspections might be necessary post-repairs.

For up-to-date information, customers can access the Duke Energy Outage Map or enroll in Outage Alerts. Duke Energy Florida, responsible for 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, serves 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida.

Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. It serves 8.4 million electric utility customers across six states and manages 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Additionally, its natural gas utilities cater to 1.7 million customers.

As part of its commitment to a clean energy transition, Duke Energy is advancing towards net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is heavily investing in upgrading the electric grid and enhancing cleaner energy generation, encompassing energy storage, renewables, natural gas, and nuclear power sources. Further information can be found on Duke Energy’s website.