JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JEA customers will not need to worry about their utilities being disconnected for nonpayment ahead of Hurricane Milton's impacts to Northeast Florida.
The utility suspended disconnections due to nonpayment following Hurricane Helene's arrival to the First Coast, which led to thousands of customers losing power. Initially, that temporary suspension was scheduled to be lifted once all customers' power was restored.
Now, as JEA monitors Hurricane Milton and prepares to response to storm-related impacts, the utility said it will continue to suspend disconnections as crews prepare to mobilize to support the community.
In a press release, JEA said customers should be prepared for flooding and possible power and water outages later this week.
"The Category 1 storm is expected to produce widespread heavy rainfall in Florida," the release said. "Consistent rainfall over the next several days could total 6 inches or more in Northeast Florida, particularly along the coast, according to forecasts. Tides into Jacksonville may increase to 3 to 5 feet above normal Wednesday evening due to moderate onshore winds north of the storm track."
JEA offered these steps residential and commercial customers should take in order to be prepared for Milton's impacts:
- Visit jea.com/storm to ensure contact information is up to date and register for power restoration alerts
- Ensure supply kits are stocked
- Review family or business emergency plans
- Bring loose outdoor items indoors
- Ensure trees are trimmed near your home or business
- Charge cellphones and mobile chargers
Here is what JEA said you need to do in order to report an outage:
- Visit jea.com/outage to view JEA's outage map and report an electric or water outage
- Call 904-665-6000 to use JEA's automated system
- Text "OUT" to 69532 (My JEA)
Once the storm passes, JEA said crews will immediately enter the restoration phase of its emergency operations "as quickly and safely as possible to restore services.
