The latest: A state of emergency is in effect for 51 Florida counties as Hurricane Milton gains strength in the Gulf of Mexico. Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is preparing for a projected landfall along Florida's West Coast. FPL urges customers to review their personal and business emergency plans and prepare now for possible extended power outages.

Why it matters: The storm is forecast to make landfall later this week as a major hurricane along Florida's West Coast and maintain its hurricane strength as it crosses the peninsula and exits along the East Coast. If the storm hits as predicted, it will bring strong winds, heavy rains, flooding and storm surge to parts of Florida that are still recovering from significant flooding and debris caused by Hurricane Helene.

A word from FPL President and CEO Armando Pimentel:

"Milton could be the second major hurricane to hit Florida in a matter of weeks. We are finalizing our preparations and implore customers to do the same. In the meantime, customers should heed evacuation orders from emergency officials, be prepared for potential outages and make sure they are keeping safety their top priority."

What FPL is doing:

• Strategically pre-positioning the company's restoration workforce for rapid restoration.
• Securing additional restoration personnel from other utilities and contracting companies from as far away as the western U.S.
• Coordinating with state and county emergency operations centers.

Keep in mind: Right now, thousands of resources are responding to the dire situation in the Southeast U.S. following Hurricane Helene. While that's exactly where they should be, it could impact the resources available from utilities that typically support Florida. FPL is marshalling as many resources as it can into Florida to mitigate those impacts which includes bringing in lineworkers from as far away as the Western U.S.

What customers should do before the storm:

• Safety is always FPL's first priority. Customers should make it their top priority, too.
• Don't trim trees at this point – high winds can turn branches into dangerous, flying debris.
• Follow the advice of federal, state and local authorities. This is especially important for people living in low-lying areas and manufactured homes who may face additional challenges during a severe weather event.
• Customers dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining medical equipment, should finalize their family emergency plan for backup power.
• Quickly download the FPL app for on-the-go, instant and secure access to your account by texting the word "App" to MyFPL (69375).
• For more safety tips, visit FPL.com/Storm.

How to reach us:

• 561-694-4442
• Media.relations@fpl.com
• @FPL_Newsroom

Additional resources

• How we prepare for storm season
• How FPL restores power
• Stay safe before a storm