The National Weather Service has downgraded Broward County from a hurricane warning to a tropical storm warning. However, officials say there is still the potential for tropical storm-force winds until at least midnight.
“Our residents need to realize that we’re not out of the woods just yet," said Broward County Mayor Marty Kiar.
More than 5000 FP&L customers are still without power, but the utility says they’ve already restored service to almost twice that number, after some 14,000 customers lost electricity due to downed power lines. FP&L crews continue to work in the field as wind speeds allow.
Officials estimate that some 2200 Broward County residents remain in evacuation shelters. They urged all residents to remain in place in shelters or at home throughout the night, saying that conditions remain too hazardous to go out on the road. Shelters are expected to close at some point on Friday.
There are still no reports of significant injuries or damage due to the storm in Broward County.
“We need to commend our residents for taking this seriously,” said County Mayor Marty Kiar. “Folks boarded up their homes, they got supplies.”
