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Snake sizzles, knocks out power to 22,000 in Florida

By Ben Hooper
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July 21 (UPI) -- Officials with a Florida city's electric utility said more than 22,000 customers lost power when a large snake slithered onto a high voltage circuit breaker.

The Jacksonville Electric Authority said more than 22,000 people lost power early Wednesday when the snake was electrocuted at the Orange Park substation.

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Power was restored by 5 a.m., JEA officials said.

The snake, which a trapper identified as a red rat snake, did not survive.

The utility said animal shields and fiberglass brackets are being installed on distribution lines to help prevent animal-related power outages, which JEA said happens about once every two or three years in the city.

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