In the wake of Hurricane Hanna, Austin Energy has sent line workers and support personnel to South Texas to help with restoration efforts.
The Austin Energy team left on July 27 at 12 p.m. with five bucket trucks, two digging derricks, and three support vehicles to help bring power back for affected communities. The team is prepared to provide help for up to two weeks in Mercedes, Texas, and the surrounding area. Austin Energy received the request for mutual aid from American Electric Power Texas (AEP Texas).
"I am honored to work with such caring individuals who not only work day in and day out for our own community here in Austin, but are also willing to help others in need," said Elton Richards, Austin Energy vice president of electric system field operations. "Their generosity and willingness to help South Texas and the Coastal Bend rebuild is what being a public power utility is all about."
Deploying aid during a pandemic requires extra care and consideration. To ensure safety, Austin Energy crews have been working only with other Austin Energy staff, staying with their same team members, and following established COVID-19 safety protocols. Additional safety measures were also taken into consideration when setting up lodging for the crews.
