As Hurricane Idalia takes aim at Florida, Lincoln Electric System is sending staff and vehicles to help utilities there with anticipated power restoration efforts. Two crews comprised of 10 LES employees are headed to Tallahassee, Florida.
Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall on Wednesday. In preparation, utilities in the path are prestaging restoration workers and equipment and coordinating response efforts with their state and local officials.
“Storms like Hurricane Idalia can cause damage to a variety of infrastructure,” says Paul Crist, LES vice president of Energy Delivery. “Our crews are cross-trained to safely restore power wherever they are needed, from large transmission lines to overhead and underground neighborhood lines.”
LES crews left Nebraska Tuesday afternoon and will make stops in Columbia, Missouri and Montgomery, Alabama before arriving in Tallahassee, Florida on Friday. The utility most recently offered a hand restoring power in New Smyrna Beach, Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
“Whether assisting communities in need of mutual aid or serving our families, neighbors and friends in the Lincoln area, safety remains our top priority,” Crist says.