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Some Okeechobee residents are without power from impacts of Helene

'It's hot out here. Trying to keep my house cool, by not opening the door,' Milagros Erazo says
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OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — Earl Wooten, public safety director for Okeechobee County, said there were around 3,000 outages from Thursday to Friday due to Helene.

Some of the highest power outage numbers in our area happened in Okeechobee County.

Wooten said crews have been working day and night to restore power. He said now it’s down to a few dozen outages.

Milagros Erazo, who lives on 27th Avenue in Okeechobee, is one of those few.

“You take things for granted,” said Erazo. “And that's one of the things, you got to have your electricity.”

Erazo said she lost power on Friday at 10 a.m.

She said Thursday’s storm and Friday’s heat advisory is a dangerous duo.

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“It's hot out here. Trying to keep my house cool, by not opening the door. My refrigerator, I've got food in there, I hope it doesn't go bad,” said Erazo.

Lawrence Smith lives a street over on 26th avenue.

He’s also without power.

“Got two fans running, got that generator out, kicking butt,” said Smith. "I've got my refrigerator and freezer plugged up. Hope I don't lose nothing."

The county said trees on power lines caused many of the 3,000 outages Thursday into Friday.

Neighbors in Okeechobee told WPTV they’re now anxiously awaiting an update about when their lights will come back on.

“I've called FPL four times,” said Erazo. “They’ve just said they don't have an update.”

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2024 STORM NAMES

Alberto

Beryl

Chris

Debby

Ernesto

Francine

Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

Kirk

Leslie

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Nadine

Oscar

Patty

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Sara

Tony

Valerie

William

TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.