Broward Neighborhood Thrives with Buried Power Lines During Storms
- During Hurricane Helene, 25,000 homes lost power in South Florida, but Las Olas Isles remained unaffected.
- The neighborhood's utilities were buried underground over a 12-year project led by Tom Godart, improving reliability and aesthetics.
- The project required 90% homeowner approval and costs were spread over 30 years, demonstrating the long-term benefits of investing in infrastructure.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene in South Florida, approximately 25,000 homes in Miami-Dade and Broward experienced power outages. However, the Las Olas Isles neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale remained unaffected due to a significant infrastructure project that buried utility lines underground. Spearheaded by Tom Godart, the initiative took 12 years to complete and aimed to enhance the resilience of the neighborhood's utilities against storm damage. The project not only improved reliability during storms but also enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the area by removing overhead power lines and replacing them with ground-level transformer boxes. Project manager Ingrid Kindbom noted that the underground installation eliminated the risk of downed lines from wind or falling branches. The financial aspect of the project required the approval of 90% of homeowners, who agreed to share the costs over a 30-year period, amounting to approximately $1,700 per household annually. This investment has proven beneficial, as the neighborhood has remained powered during severe weather events, showcasing the advantages of underground utilities in storm-prone areas.