Storm Center

Thank you for your patience as Clay Electric crews, assisted by mutual aid and contract crews, continue to make the extensive repairs necessary to our distribution system, which was damaged by Major Hurricane Idalia.

Overall, approximately 93% of Clay Electric members have power as of Thursday afternoon.

For our members living in Baker, Levy, Marion and Union counties – we estimate that 98% of homes will have their power restored by 10 p.m. Thursday.

Additionally, we estimate that our members in Alachua and Gilchrist counties will be at the 98% threshold by noon Friday.

For members living in Columbia and Suwannee counties, we estimate a 98% restoration to homes by 10 p.m. Saturday. Notably, a substation in Fort White has been re-energized, which will help lower the number of outages in Columbia County.

Please remember: If you see one of our crews working in your area, give them some additional space. If it’s a two-lane road and you’re unable to move over, we ask you please slow down to a speed that is 20 mph under the speed limit. Our lineworkers are working as quickly and safely as possible.

About 18,500 member-owned accounts remain without electricity due to Hurricane Idalia as of Thursday, Aug. 31, at 9 a.m. Both cooperative mutual aid and contract crews are assisting Clay Electric’s personnel in the restoration process.

At one point during the storm, approximately 46,000 member accounts were without power. By day’s end Wednesday, that number was reduced by more than half — approximately 19,000 member accounts. Additional outside crews will continue assisting in the restoration efforts Thursday in the Gainesville and Lake City districts, and crews that have completed restoration efforts in their respective districts will be providing support there, as well as assistance to the Keystone Heights District.

Clay Electric plans to have an estimated time of restoration for members in Alachua, Columbia and Suwannee counties later in the day Thursday. Restoration is complete in Duval, Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties, and we expect to have power restoration substantially complete by Thursday night in Baker, Bradford, Clay,  Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Putnam and Union counties.

We appreciate your patience. Please keep in mind that assessing damage to power lines takes time and is essential to proper restoration.

There are still some low-hanging or downed power lines in our area at this time. These lines may still be energized, so please avoid going near them and never touch them. For life-threatening situations, please call 911. To report damage (non-life threatening) on our lines, please call 1-800-224-4917 or report it through MyClayElectric.

All Clay Electric district offices will be closed to the public Wednesday, Aug. 30 through Friday, Sept. 1 to allow personnel to concentrate on restoring services post-Hurricane Idalia, which poses a serious threat to the cooperative’s 14-county service area.

Additionally, Clay Electric has suspended all member disconnections for non-payment beginning Tuesday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 4.

Based on the storm’s projected path, the potential for serious damage to Clay Electric’s power distribution system and service area remains high. While the system was built to endure hurricane-force winds, outages will occur due to debris from trees and tree limbs.

Due to the magnitude of the storm, members should prepare for the possibility of being without power for an extended period. To restore power, Clay Electric personnel will be aided by other co-ops and work diligently to commence restoration efforts as soon as the situation is deemed safe.

“Idalia is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane before making landfall along the Gulf Coast,” said Chief Public Relations Officer Derick Thomas. “The cooperative is prepared for widespread outages, and our lineworkers are mobilized to restore power as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• If you or a family member depend on power for medical reasons, have somewhere to go that is out of harm’s way, or have a generator handy.
• If you use a generator, know how to operate it safely, and do not hook it up to your home’s wiring system. It could backfeed into our distribution system and kill or injure personnel making repairs.
• When venturing outdoors after the storm, be careful of low-hanging or downed power lines, which may still be energized.
• To report an outage, members are encouraged to report outages via MyClayElectric or by calling 888-434-9844. Note: This line may be busy due to the large volume of calls expected.

Information and updates will be shared on Facebook and ClayElectric.com throughout the restoration process.

Outage Map

Clay Electric is keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Idalia, which has sparked storm surge and hurricane warnings for portions of Florida’s west coast.

On Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service says life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are becoming increasingly likely for parts of the state, and Clay Electric strongly recommends everyone keep watch on the storm’s projected path and make plans. Idalia could pose a serious threat to Clay Electric’s 14-county service area.

Right now, the co-op is reviewing inventory of materials and bringing them up to necessary levels if widespread power outages occur. Clay Electric’s Fleet Service Department is ensuring the co-op’s gas supply is at adequate levels and all vehicles are fueled.

If Idalia strikes Clay Electric’s service area, restoration efforts will begin as soon as it is safe to do so, and crews will make every effort to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Clay Electric’s General Manager Ricky Davis has met with Chief Operations Office Bryan Gunter to begin bringing in outside crews to help Clay restore service if Idalia causes extensive outages within the co-op’s service area.

“We want to be proactive in securing the necessary resources to restore power to our members as efficiently and safely as possible,” Davis said. “These steps are to ensure we remain ahead of the curve.”

Clay Electric Chief Public Relations Officer Derick Thomas said Clay Electric members should review their storm plans and ensure they have an adequate supply of drinking water, non-perishable foods, canned goods and necessary medications.

“Hurricanes are a major inconvenience for everyone,” Thomas said. “Our families will be facing this difficult situation with you.”

To help members prepare for a storm, the co-op offers a list of preparations in an annual hurricane guide. It is available here, as are generator safety instructions, a supply list and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• If you or a family member depend on power for medical reasons, have somewhere to go that is out of harm’s way, or have a generator handy.
• If you use a generator, know how to operate it safely, and do not hook it up to your home’s wiring system. It could backfeed into our distribution system and kill or injure personnel making repairs.
• When venturing outdoors after the storm, be careful of low-hanging or downed power lines, which may still be energized.
• Additional information and updates about Clay Electric’s preparation and response to Tropical Storm Idalia will be shared on Facebook and ClayElectric.com.