Cold air slammed into Florida before dawn, snapping tree limbs and tripping circuits. I am confirming scattered power outages from Orlando to Jacksonville as an Arctic blast drives the coldest morning in years. Hundreds to thousands are without electricity in pockets across Central and Northeast Florida. The grid is under stress. Here is what you need to know now ❄️
What happened overnight
This freeze is rare for Florida. Inland lows dropped into the 20s for several hours. That kind of cold makes metal brittle and stresses power equipment. It also turns light winds into harsh wind chills that slow repairs. Space heaters kicked on across the region. Demand spiked right as lines and transformers faced the cold. Add fallen branches from chilled, brittle trees, and you get outages scattered across multiple counties.
Utilities are working feeders first, then neighborhood lines, then single homes. Hospitals, fire stations, water plants, and major intersections get priority. Expect shifting restoration times as crews clear debris and replace gear that cracked in the cold.
Treat every dark intersection like a four-way stop. Downed lines can be deadly. Assume any wire on the ground is live.
Where to find reliable outage maps near you
If your lights are out, your utility’s official outage map is the fastest way to see status and restoration estimates. Use your last bill or a bank draft entry to confirm your provider. Large investor-owned utilities and city systems in Florida maintain real-time dashboards. Many rural co-ops post maps and text alerts as well.
Here is the quickest way to get your local picture:
- Search for your utility name and the word outage map
- Enter your address or zoom to your neighborhood
- Note the crew status and estimated restoration
- Sign up for text alerts so updates come to you
If you cannot get online, call your utility’s automated line. Report the outage once. Repeated calls do not speed repairs, but they can tie up lines for emergencies.
What to expect on restoration timelines
The cold changes the job. Iced fittings can crack when handled. Crews must inspect poles and crossarms for hidden splits. Repairs take longer in gloves and wind. As the sun rises, demand may jump again when people make breakfast and reheat homes. That can delay some restoration windows.
The order usually goes like this. First, stabilize high-voltage lines that feed many customers. Next, fix large neighborhood circuits. Then, tackle smaller taps and individual service drops. If a tree damaged your service mast, an electrician may need to fix your meter housing before power can safely return.
Before power comes back, turn off major appliances and space heaters. Leave one light on. That reduces a surge when the grid re-energizes, and it protects your gear.
Safety first in the cold
Cold weather in Florida brings risks that many homes are not built to handle. Heat sources and combustion indoors are the top hazards.
- Never run a generator indoors or in a garage. Keep it 20 feet from doors and windows
- Do not use a grill or stove for heat. Carbon monoxide is invisible and deadly
- Dress in layers. Focus on hands, feet, and head. Stay in one warmed room if possible
- Keep phones charging from a battery pack. Save energy for essential calls
If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or confused while using a generator, get fresh air at once and call 911. Carbon monoxide builds fast.
Why this cold snap hit Florida
This blast came from a sharp southward dive in the jet stream. Arctic air spilled deep into the Southeast overnight. Scientists are watching how rapid Arctic warming can make these swings more likely. Warm oceans load the atmosphere with extra energy and moisture. That can fuel sharper winter cold snaps in the South, even as average winters warm over decades.
Florida’s grid and housing were built mainly for heat and humidity. Freeze events expose weak points. Shallow-rooted trees crack. Exposed lines ice up. Older homes lose heat quickly. Hardening matters. Better tree trimming, insulated equipment, and selective undergrounding reduce future outages. Home solar paired with batteries can keep essentials running, even during short winter days.
How to help the grid today
Every kilowatt saved helps restore stability. Keep thermostats at the lowest comfortable setting, ideally 65 to 68. Close curtains to hold heat. Delay laundry and dishwashing until midafternoon. Unplug devices you do not need. Use one efficient space heater for the room you occupy, and keep doors closed. If you have a smart thermostat, use eco mode during peak morning and evening hours.
Pets feel the cold quickly on tile and wood. Lay down blankets or a rug, and bring animals indoors until the freeze ends.
The bottom line
This is a rare Florida deep freeze, and it will test the grid through the day. I am tracking outages and repairs across Central and Northeast Florida. Restoration will improve as crews clear limbs and the sun lifts demand. Check your utility’s outage map for the latest estimate. Conserve power, stay warm, and put safety first. We will keep you updated as conditions change.
