A large crane being moved on a barge struck overhead power lines in a Cape Coral canal Tuesday morning, sparking visible arcing, damaging lines and temporarily cutting electricity to about 2,000 Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) customers. Crews restored power to most customers within hours, although a small number remained without service into the afternoon.
What happened and where
The incident occurred near Southwest 2nd Avenue and Southwest 40th Street, in the canal area off Pelican Boulevard beyond the soccer fields, according to witnesses. The crane, traveling on a barge, became entangled in the overhead lines at about 8 a.m. Residents reported loud bangs and sparks when the equipment struck the wires.
"I was getting my coffee, getting ready to head out, and I heard a big boom, and it was like an explosion," a resident said. "Then it happened again, and it was even louder… I ran out the front door, and the crane was leaning against the wires and it was like fireworks. I saw sparks and everything."
LCEC crews responded and worked for several hours to de-energize and clear the area, repair damaged equipment and reestablish service. By 8:45 a.m., most affected accounts had power restored. A small remaining group of customers—reported at 173—remained without electricity into midafternoon; some had power restored just before 1 p.m.
Local reaction and safety concerns
Neighbors said the canal is a common route for barges and other work vessels and that collisions with lines have occurred previously, though residents and utility officials say barge strikes are not typical.
- Resident report: One longtime resident said this canal route has seen similar incidents on multiple occasions.
- Utility guidance: LCEC reminded boat operators and sailors to maintain at least a 10-foot clearance from overhead power lines and to know the height of machinery they are operating.
- Potential countermeasures: LCEC noted that additional measures such as signage would require approvals and further steps before installation.
Witnesses expressed concern that the strike could have led to serious injury or worse. The utility emphasized the danger of proximity to live lines and urged the boating community to take precautions when navigating canals bordered by energized infrastructure.
Response and restoration timeline
| Event | Time / figure |
|---|---|
| Approximate time of strike | About 8 a.m. |
| Customers affected | ~2,000 |
| Majority restored | By 8:45 a.m. |
| Customers remaining without power | 173 (midafternoon) |
While LCEC crews cleared and repaired the damage, county and marine operators may review navigation practices for barges moving through tight canal corridors. Neighbors suggested that increased vigilance by boat operators is needed because of the density of overhead utilities in many Cape Coral waterway neighborhoods.
The utility's public reminder to maintain a minimum of a 10-foot clearance is intended to reduce the risk of contact between vessels or construction equipment and energized wires. Officials also noted that determining and implementing structural changes, such as signage or physical markers, involves coordination, permitting and additional safety reviews.
The incident underscores how Cape Coral's extensive canal network—used daily for recreation, residential access and commercial operations—intersects with overhead utilities and creates potential hazards if clearances are not observed. LCEC and local residents said they expect to continue working to prevent similar events and to educate boat operators and contractors who use the waterways.
Lee County Electric Cooperative continues to monitor and maintain safety along rights-of-way and asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them through their regular customer service channels.
