Left in the Dark: Families at Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park Endure Power Outage in Scorching Heat

Sweetwater, Florida — For the few remaining families at Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park, life has been tough enough. But this past weekend, things got even harder when the power suddenly went out — again.

It was early Saturday morning, and already the Florida heat was creeping in. By midday, temperatures soared into the 90s. Inside several trailers, air conditioners sputtered to a stop, refrigerators went silent, and fans ceased spinning. The electricity was gone, and it stayed gone for more than 24 hours.

“We just sat outside all day, sweating, hoping it would come back,” said Juana Morales, a single mother of four. “My baby’s formula was in the fridge. I couldn’t even warm a bottle.”

A Sudden Outage — And A Familiar Pattern

According to residents and local reports, the power outage affected at least five homes at the park, where fewer than 50 people still live. Those who remain have refused to leave despite eviction notices issued in late 2024, as the property owners continue demolition work on nearby abandoned trailers.

Florida Power & Light (FPL) was called multiple times, residents said, but the power wasn’t restored until Sunday afternoon, leaving families to endure sweltering conditions, spoiled food, and mounting frustration.

“I take heart medication,” said Santos Varela, an elderly resident battling terminal illness. “With no electricity, I can’t sleep. I can’t even keep my pills cool.”

What Caused the Outage?

While no official cause has been confirmed, multiple residents and local advocates claim the blackout may be linked to damaged circuit breakers — possibly related to the ongoing demolition and construction activity on the property.

“They’re knocking things down next door without warning us,” said Maria Alvarez, who’s lived in the park for over 15 years. “Last time, we lost power for three days. This time, it was a day and a half. What happens when it’s a week?”

This is not the first time power has gone out unexpectedly. In June 2025, residents protested outside the park after a similar outage, blaming careless demolition for severed lines and poor communication from the property managers.

A Community Fighting More Than Blackouts

The power outage is just the latest struggle for a community already living under threat. Most residents at Li’l Abner are part of an ongoing class-action lawsuit challenging their eviction and claiming the property owner has been using dangerous and coercive tactics to force them out — including neglecting maintenance, cutting utilities, and rushing demolition projects nearby.

“It feels like they’re trying to break us, one way or another,” said Luis Rivas, a father of two who’s refused to move. “They want to make it unlivable so we give up.”

Local officials and housing advocates have stepped in, but progress has been slow. The latest outage is now being added to the list of concerns being reviewed by legal counsel for the tenants.

Who’s Responsible?

While FPL confirmed the outage and eventual restoration, they’ve declined to provide specific details on what caused the failure. Advocates are now demanding:

• A full electrical safety audit of remaining homes

• Temporary cooling stations or aid for residents in future outages

• Investigation into whether construction work is breaching code and harming infrastructure

“We are seeing a repeat pattern,” said Nina Gomez, a tenant rights attorney. “Whether intentional or through negligence, families are being put at risk.”

What’s at Stake

For families like Juana’s, this isn’t just a matter of comfort — it’s about safety, dignity, and survival. The Florida summer is only getting hotter. Many residents are elderly, disabled, or have young children who can’t tolerate extreme heat for long stretches.

“We pay our bills. We clean our homes. We’re not leaving because this is all we have,” Juana said. “But it’s like they don’t care if we stay in the dark — literally.”