"WASHINGTON — As Hurricane Irma rampaged through Florida, snapping power lines and damaging vital equipment, it left as many as 15 million people in the state without electricity, the Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday. While some homes may see power restored within days, utilities said that other customers may have to wait weeks.

“This is going to be a very, very lengthy restoration, arguably the longest and most complex in U.S. history,” Robert Gould, vice president for communications at Florida Power & Light, which supplies electricity to roughly half the state, told ABC News on Sunday.

Why does it take so long?

Repairing the grid after a major hurricane is a complex task, experts said. Utilities first have to send crews out to inspect the damage before they can figure out how best to restore service. That assessment can take days, and heavy flooding and debris from the storm can delay workers trying to reach key areas."

Brad Plumer reports for the New York Times September 12, 2017. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Hurricane Irma: Fla.'s Hardened Grid Took A Beating, And Outages Could Last" (EnergyWire) [3]

"Hurricane Irma: Florida Faces Days Without Power After Deadly Storm" (CNN) [4]