Power Outage in Sebring, FL

The highest wind reported in Highlands County was a gust to 43 mph at Sebring Regional Airport at 7:55 AM EST on November 10. Rainfall generally ranged from 1 to 3 inches with a maximum of 2.98 inches reported near Lake Wales. Approximately 500 customers experienced power outages. Minimal damage was reported.

The Highlands County 911 call center reported widespread wind damage throughout the county, with numerous trees and power lines down.

In Highlands County, the highest wind reported from Hurricane Irma was a (3 second average) gust to 85 knots at Archbold Bio Station during the evening on the 10th. Elsewhere, the AWOS in Sebring registered a 5 second average gust to 75 knots. Rainfall was generally around 5 inches or greater, with the highest rain total being 10.31 inches at the CoCoRaHS station FL-HL-13 in Sebring. The wind resulted in damage to numerous homes, as well as knocking over trees and power lines. Highlands County Emergency Management reported that 144 homes or businesses were destroyed by Irma, 963 sustained major damage, 2408 had minor damage, and an additional 9623 were affected.||The total property damage from Highlands County was estimated at $360 million in individual assistance claims, most of which was estimated to be caused by wind damage. Additionally, crop damage to citrus plants in Highlands County was roughly estimated at $70 million.||There were four indirect fatalities from Irma in Highlands County. On the 9th, a 55 year old man fell off a ladder in Lake Placid while preparing his home. The man hit his head and died at a Tampa hospital on the 10th. A 56 year old man in Sebring collapsed while trimming trees on the 12th and died. The medical examiner determined that heart disease was the primary cause of death. A 62 year old man was found dead in his garage in Sebring on the 15th with a generator in the on position and out of gas. The medical examiner determined he died of carbon monoxide poisoning. A 23 year old man was electrocuted and died while trimming trees and clearing storm debris in Sebring on the 26th.

Highlands County Emergency Management reported roof damage to 6 homes in Lake Josephine. One home on Leona Dr. lost the majority of the roof. Trees, power lines, and a few carports were blown down as well. The time was estimated by radar.

Public video shows a tornado hitting power lines and kicking up debris. The 600 block of Lake June Road on the north side of the lake had damaged homes.

The public reported trees downed on Hammock Road and County Road 635, and power poles downed along State Road 17.

Several homes received minor carport and awning damage, several trees and power lines were blown down, and debris damaged 3 vehicles in the Spring Lake area.

County officials reported trees and power lines were downed near U.S. Highway 17.

Trees and power lines were downed north of Sebring.

Lightning penetrated four different safety devices to destroy an electrical substation. About 2,300 people were without power for up to 20 hours.

Lightning started brush fires in Sun 'N Lakes subdivision. Several power transformers and traffic lights were knocked out of service in Sebring. Caused a house fire in Sebring. The house fire started in a line from a propane tank which ignited and melted the aluminum siding of the house.

The Glades Electric Cooperative and Skywarn Spotters reported that thunderstorm winds removed the roofs of up three weathered mobile homes, downed several large trees, power lines and toppled a few road and billboard signs along U.S. Highway 98 from Lorida to near Sebring.

Highlands County Emergency Management reported that thunderstorms winds downed several power lines and large branches three miles west of Sebring.