Massive power outage hits Central and South Florida

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) — Massive power outages struck Florida on Tuesday afternoon, with power reported out from Miami to Palm Beach County, police and utility officials said.

About 4.4 million customers across South Florida were affected, Florida Power and Light officials said.


The outage struck shortly after 1 p.m., as scattered thunderstorms passed through the region. But the cause of the outage was not immediately known.

In Washington, officials at the Department of Homeland Security said there was no immediate concern that terrorism was behind the outage.

Stan Johnson, a spokesman for the North American Electric Reliability Council, said eight power plants were off-line across the region, but officials believe the outage has been contained.

CNN