Oct 11 (Reuters) - Duke Energy (DUK.N) , opens new tab expects to take at least four more days to restore electricity to many of its customers in Florida after Hurricane Milton caused power outages across the state, the U.S. utility firm said on Friday.

Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane before plowing into the Atlantic Ocean a day later, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The hurricane caused widespread flooding and deadly tornadoes, killing at least 16 people in the state.

Duke Energy estimated its customers in 12 counties would have their power restored by 1159 pm ET (0359 am GMT) on Oct. 13, while those in Pasco and Pinellas counties would have to wait till at least 1159 pm ET on Oct. 15.

According to Duke Energy's power outage map, at least 750,391 customers were without power as of 15:56 pm ET.

Meanwhile, data from PowerOutage.us suggests 2.2 million homes and businesses in Florida did not have access to electricity.

Duke Energy was the utility with most customers hit, followed by Florida Power & Light Company, with 677,681 clients lacking electricity, the data showed.

Sign up here.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/duke-energy-take-four-days-restore-power-florida-after-hurricane-milton-2024-10-11/