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.