Local power crews are still working amidst rain and wind to clear trees and restore power to over 15,000 customers in Marion County, as Tropical Storm Debby moves out of the region at a slow pace.
Ocala Electric Utility crews have responded to multiple sites across the city of Ocala where trees have downed power lines or obstructed roadways.
Ocala Electric Utility’s outage map shows that approximately 1,866 customers are being affected by 82 different outages in the area.
This afternoon, OEU responded to reports of a large downed tree in the 1900 block of SE 14th Avenue. Officials are advising residents to stay away from the area.
Just before 2 p.m., OEU reported that a tree had fallen on power lines at NE 5th Street and NE 17th Avenue.
In Dogwood Acres, crews responded to reports of a tree that fell on a home at along SW 39th AVenue. The Davey Tree Crew was dispatched to clear the scene and a separate crew was sent to restore power.
Hours before that, OEU crews responded to outages caused by a downed tree in the 2100 block of East Silver Springs Boulevard.
Just before 9 a.m., the organization provided photos of a tree downed on a power line that produced an outage at SW 5th Street, near Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School.
Outage maps across the area show that over 15,000 customers across various electric companies are still without power.
Duke Energy’s map shows that 11,000 customers are currently without power.
The Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc, which has over 16,000 customers in Marion County, says at least 3,387 have been impacted by outages.
SECO Energy, which services parts of Summerfield, Belleview, Marion Oaks, Ocala, and several other areas in southwest Marion, is still reporting at dozens of outages affecting at least 700 customers locally.
Debby, which was downgraded into a tropical storm earlier today, currently has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. The center of the storm is located about 10 miles northwest of Live Oak, Florida. The storm is currently moving north-northeast at approximately 7 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Marion County is currently under a tornado watch until 4 p.m. and a flood watch until tomorrow at 8 p.m.
Earlier today, city officials warned that, due to the wet soil, trees may “continue to uproot, and limbs may continue to fall” throughout the day.
To report a power outage, call one of the following numbers:
- Ocala Electric Utility – 352-351-6666
- Duke Energy – 800-228-8485
- SECO – 352-237-4107
- Clay Electric – 888-434-9844
- Withlacoochee River Electric – 352-795-4382
If your property has sustained damage due to Hurricane Debby, residents are encouraged to take photographs and document the damage as safely as possible. Make emergency repairs such as covering broken windows and damaged roofs and, if the home is uninhabitable, seek safe lodging elsewhere. To report damage to the Marion County Property Appraiser, file a report at the Marion County Property Appraiser Damage Assessment website or call 352-368-8300.