Residents of several communities say that being without power since Hurricane Helene struck two months ago was inconvenient at first. However, now that temperatures are dipping into the 50s and 40s, they say the situation has become dire as they continue to await power restoration.

At some properties, the delay in restoring power involves replacing and upgrading electric boxes to meet code requirements.

Dan McCarthy, a resident at Sun Retreats mobile home park in Dunedin, says it costs him $45 a day in gas to run his generator. “This is what is keeping us going,” McCarthy said.

Management at Sun Retreats stated they are actively working to restore power by bringing electric boxes up to code with guidance from their electrician, Pinellas County, and Duke Energy. Duke Energy previously informed Spectrum News that all customers who can safely receive service have been restored.

“They have new posts in with electric to them now, the RV’s can plug right in, but being homeowners we have to get another permit and then hire an electrician,” McCarthy said. He noted this is just one of many tasks he must complete, in addition to the expenses needed to rebuild his home. “Electricians are so busy because they are doing this everywhere, I guess. Once we get a permit, we might still be waiting to get an electrician to hook it up,” he added.

At Lantern RV Park in Hudson, residents are refilling gallons of gas cans for their generators. Many of the generators were provided by the park’s owner, who is also waiving rent for the moment.

Manager Elizabeth Moore said only six electric boxes in the park remain to be updated before power can be restored. She mentioned they have a permit and are working with an electrician, but progress has been slow. Moore expressed concern for the seniors living there, stating, “I have disabled people in this park. I have women and children in this park that need milk, need to have clean clothes. Like we can’t even wash clothes. Hardly anybody here has cars to get out of this park. It’s just a big, big mess here.”

David Lambert, the general manager of Withlacoochee River Electric, visited Lantern RV Park on Monday to check on everything. He told Spectrum News that the company has restored power to units approved by Pasco County. However, there are safety concerns that an electrician is addressing, which is why power has yet to be fully restored.

Residents using generators are reminded to place them outside while in use.

Duke Energy Lead Communications Manager Audrey Stasko shared the following statement with Spectrum News:

“During Helene and Milton, many homes and businesses suffered damage to customer-owned equipment. In these situations, an electrician first makes repairs and then obtains verification from the local building inspection authority before power can be restored. We continue working very closely with the RV park owners and the local inspecting authority, and our crews stand ready to respond when our customers are able to safely receive power. At this time, all customers who are able to safely receive service at this mobile home park have been restored. We remain committed to rebuilding alongside the communities we serve.”

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