Suwannee County battles widespread power outages

Distribution points for food and water are set up throughout Suwannee County after Hurricane Idalia knocked out nearly all the power in the area on Wednesday.

According to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) social media release posted Thursday morning, the Points of Distribution (POD) opened at 1 p.m. and are located at:

• Suwannee Riverside Elementary School, 1625 Walker Ave. SW, Live Oak
• Suwannee County Coliseum, 1302 11th St. SW, Live Oak
• Branford Elementary School, 26801 SR 247, Branford

More than 93 percent (23,231 out of 24,761) of Suwannee County customers are without electricity as of 1:10 p.m., according to poweroutage.us. Crews from Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) and Florida Power and Light (FPL) continue to restore power and make damage assessments.

SCSO search and rescue teams said they anticipate completing operations on Thursday.

Damage assessments are starting Thursday in order for a Federal Disaster Declaration to be declared.

According to the SCSO, the following roadways are now passable with work being down to clear addition roadways: US 90, US 129, SR 51, CR 49, CR 136, CR 252, SR 247, CR 136A, CR 132, CR 137, CR 249 and 216th Street

“The amount of damage to Suwannee County has been devastating and unprecedented, especially in the southwestern and western portions of the County. Homes, farms and electrical distribution systems have been damaged or destroyed. The recovery process has begun and will continue until the job is done,” the SCSO release stated.