Every year, CHELCO keeps detailed records of outages and their causes. Our “detectives” have identified a few familiar suspects that showed up again and again in 2025. Some struck quickly and vanished. Others left behind a much bigger mess. Here’s what the evidence tells us.

Trees
Trees were responsible for 382 outages and more than 2,678,000 member minutes interrupted. While trees are among the top three suspects, they are one of the few outage causes we can actively control, unlike lightning or wildlife, which are unpredictable and unavoidable.

Tree-related outages often take longer to restore because crews must safely cut, remove, and clear heavy limbs or entire trees before repairs can begin. That’s why CHELCO places a strong emphasis on right-of-way maintenance. Proactive, aggressive trimming reduces the likelihood of trees contacting power lines during storms, helping prevent outages before they occur and shortening restoration times when they do.

Squirrels and Other Small Critters
Small but mighty, squirrels and other rodents caused 438 outages and 275,000 member minutes in 2025. These outages are usually brief. Once the issue is located and safely cleared, repairs tend to be straightforward. 

Lightning
Lightning was the most frequent offender, responsible for 530 outages and 499,000 member minutes of interruption. Florida’s afternoon storms pack a powerful punch, and even with protective equipment in place, a direct strike can overwhelm electrical systems in an instant. The good news? Lightning-related outages are often short-lived. Once damaged equipment is identified and isolated, power can usually be restored quickly.

Motor Vehicle Accidents
Though much less frequent, 34 vehicle accidents accounted for 512,000 outage minutes in 2025. When a pole is struck, restoration often involves replacing poles, lines, and equipment. If necessary, we must also wait for first responders to ensure the safety and well-being of all those who were involved before repairs begin.

Case Closed for 2025
No two outages are identical, but each one tells a story. We will keep our detective caps on for 2026, keeping a close eye on these culprits and doing everything we can to limit their impact and keep you powered.