Utility crews dig up Whiskey Creek backyard searching for shock source

Reporter: Sydney Persing
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

Utility crews: slinging mud, digging up dirt — all to get the bottom of what recently shocked David Oliver in his own backyard.

“It jolts you, and you knew you got something, but you don’t know what it was. Very uncomfortable,” said Oliver.

He first talked with us earlier this week. Four days later, his yard is in shambles.

“They acknowledged the fact that there was maybe an issue and they’d like me to be there to see if there was an actual issue,” he says.

Oliver thinks the issue started in July when he saw smoke in his backyard.

“You can see the smoke coming from underground. It smells like it’s burning,” he said.

Florida Power and Light confirms an abandoned live wire caused it, and say they repaired it in July. But Oliver reached out to us thinking there’s a connection between the smoke and the shock.

“I want Florida Power and Light to come out here, at least dig it up, and make sure that we’re not hallucinating,” he said.

The power company still denies there’s an issue, but says they’d rather be safe than sorry.
They started digging, but got delayed by mud and water.

“They…have to bring a sub pump and some other equipment, bigger shovels,” said Oliver.

Now FPL says it will call in back up: a state crew to help pinpoint the wires. A move the company calls a precaution..

Oliver just wants it fixed and to prevent a bigger problem.

“What if someone gets hurt? Then what are you gonna do,” he asked.

FPL says it can’t confirm when that emergency crew will be on scene. The Olivers want answers before they spend anymore time in their backyard.

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