Hurricane Milton’s Tornadoes Devastate Florida Solar Farm

Hurricane Milton has left a trail of destruction in Florida, being recorded as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in history. The storm, which led to the loss of at least 23 lives in the state, also resulted in an estimated $US50 billion in damages to various infrastructures.

Despite being slightly weaker than expected, Hurricane Milton spawned multiple tornadoes that caused significant damage. One tornado, in particular, wreaked havoc on a 62 MW solar farm in Florida, owned by Duke Energy, a North Carolina-based power and gas company.

Destruction at the Solar Farm

The aftermath of the storm at the Lake Placid solar farm, opened in 2019 and developed by EDF Renewables, was captured in images and videos shared by Duke Energy. The visuals depict the extensive damage caused by the tornado, with solar panels scattered across the area.

Surprisingly, most of the single access trackers at the solar farm remain intact, although their operational status is uncertain at this time.

Impact on Energy Infrastructure

The impact of Hurricane Milton on energy infrastructure has been severe, leaving millions without power in its wake. Even now, over a week later, some individuals are still awaiting reconnection to the grid, highlighting the lasting effects of the storm.

As Florida grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, the focus remains on restoring power and repairing the damaged infrastructure to bring normalcy back to the affected areas.