Living in the dark after Hurricane Irma
Millions are without power in the south.
ByABC News
September 12, 2017, 12:29 PM
— -- An estimated 8 million to 9 million people are without power after Hurricane Irma ripped through the state of Florida. And it could take weeks before customers have electricity again, according to FEMA.
![PHOTO: Adam Davis and Travis Warford, technical information specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Urban Search and Rescue team, in Orlando, Fla., Sept. 10, 2017.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/outages-5-rd-er-170912_3x2_992.jpg)
Sam Hodgson/The New York Times/Redux
Nearly 11,000 utility workers are joining forces so those suffering in the dark will have light. Crews with Con Edison, some traveling all the way from Illinois, arrived in Florida to assist with the massive effort. For those in the hardest hit areas, the next few weeks will be challenging. But there will be light again.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/outages-6-rt-er-170912.jpg)
Carlos Barria/Reuters
People who are without power have been told to avoid electrified water, downed power lines and other hazards.
![PHOTO: People line up at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Naples, Fla., Sept. 11, 2017.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/outages-2-abc-er-170912_3x2_992.jpg)
![PHOTO: Lisa Borruso plays pool using a headlamp as the power remains out following Hurricane Irma at Gators' Crossroads in Naples, Fla., Sept. 11, 2017.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/outages-1-ap-er-170912.jpg)
David Goldman/AP
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/outages-4-pol-er-170912.jpg)
Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/Polaris
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/outages-3-abc-er-170912.jpg)