Power poles still down, stoplights still out in Pinellas County

Following Hurricane Milton, Pinellas County is grappling with ongoing power outages due to downed power poles and inoperative stoplights. The lack of electricity has left many restaurants and stores unable to reopen, particularly those without generators. Duke Energy is actively assessing the extent of the damage to the local infrastructure, as they work on restoring power to the affected areas. Local authorities emphasize the critical nature of this situation, urging residents to stay safe and avoid travel where possible. The impact of the storm has highlighted the vulnerability of energy systems during extreme weather events.

In the meantime, community members are encouraged to report outages and stay updated on restoration efforts. As the situation evolves, public safety remains a priority for local officials. This incident underscores the ongoing need for robust infrastructure to withstand natural disasters.