Here’s what we know so far on Wednesday:
Irma by the numbers:
- 61 confirmed deaths: 38 in the Caribbean and 23 in the U.S.
- 7 million people told to evacuate
- 13 million were without power in Florida
- More than $273 million has been spent in Florida on preparations and recovery efforts by several state agencies.
Florida Power and Light: Nursing home deaths ‘extremely tragic’
“What we have seen is something extremely tragic. It points to the need for having plans in advance,” FPL spokesman Rob Gould said. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of those who have lost their lives.”
FEMA Declaration
Palm Beach County has estimated $303 million in damages total across the county from Hurricane Irma. That includes residences, businesses, parks, roads and more.
Health Department reopens Thursday
Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County will be reopen for services, but clinical services will only be available at the Lantana Health Center and West Palm Beach Health Center.
FPL outages
Compiled by The Palm Beach Post from Florida Power and Light reports. Some hourly reports are missing. Numbers reflect only FPL customers, not individual residents, nor customers of Lake Worth's electric service.
Hurricane Irma left about 90 percent of FPL’s customers in the dark statewide.
Three days later, fewer than one third of Palm Beach County’s customers -- 228,080 -- still didn't have power, as of 10 p.m. Wednesday.
In Martin County, 22 percent of customers --21,050. In St. Lucie County, FPL reports 23,840 outages, or 18 percent of its customers.
Across the state, there’s still 1.6 million customers without power, but since the hurricane more than 2.8 million outages have been.
Fear not, sweaty Floridians, FPL expects most east coast customers to have power restored by the end of the weekend.
Lake Worth Utilities continues to deal with a substantial number of power outages. Power was restored to about 7,000 customers by Wednesday, the city said.
Power still out?
Here is what NOT to do. And here is where to find some hot food.
No school ‘til Monday, but kids can come in for meals
The Palm Beach County School District will provide breakfast and lunch to those 18-years-old and younger as well as one adult accompanying them Thursday and Friday at 27 schools. Children do not have to be enrolled in school at this time to get the meal.
Grace for taxpayers
The IRS is extending deadlines for taxpayers in 21 Florida counties affected by Irma. That means you, Palm Beach County taxpayers.
The U.S. Postal Service is offering limited delivery services at a handful of locations in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.
When will your garbage be picked up?
It may be weeks.
Carbon monoxide poisoning, rabid bat?
Four Palm Beach County families suffered carbon monoxide poisoning after keeping running generators in closed garages.
Another family may have been exposed to rabies after a bat entered its home.
Hundreds still in shelters
Shelters in Palm Beach County are housing more than 200 people, the county’s emergency managers said Wednesday.
West Boynton Beach Recreation Center: 60
First Baptist Church in Belle Glade: 69
Special needs shelter at the South Florida fairgrounds: 73
New homes for pets
About 200 pets from Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control and Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League were flown north today to free up shelters overcrowded by the storm.
Storm prep shook up one local rescue’s plans when staff realized the medical clinic wasn’t safe.
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