Electric Utility Operations

Providing Support: Entergy Deploys Line Crews to Restore Power in Hurricane-Ravaged Florida

Oct. 11, 2018

Entergy’s Louisiana utilities are sending a team of 170 employees and contractors to help safely restore power in Northwest Florida following anticipated widesp

Amy Fischbach

Right on the heels of Tropical Depression Florence, Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida. As the weather forecasts started to roll in, utility companies were already lining up their crews to provide mutual assistance.

For example, Entergy’s Louisiana utilities are sending a team of 170 employees and contractors to help safely restore power in Northwest Florida following anticipated widespread damage by Hurricane Michael.

"Sending crews to help is part of long-standing mutual-assistance agreements by which utilities support one another in times of need," the company stated. "When requested, Entergy operating companies will send as many workers as they can spare to the affected area while keeping enough at home to meet the needs of local customers."

The Category 4 hurricane has made landfall as the strongest hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in recorded history. Michael’s strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge have the potential to cause catastrophic damage and prolonged power outages. Entergy’s crews are assigned to Gulf Power Company.

Here is a short video clip of the line trucks rolling out to travel to Florida for the storm restoration.

About the Author

Amy Fischbach | Amy Fischbach, EUO Contributing Editor

Amy Fischbach is the Field Editor for T&D World magazine and manages the Electric Utility Operations section. She is the host of the Line Life Podcast, which celebrates the grit, courage and inspirational teamwork of the line trade. She also works on the annual Lineworker Supplement and the Vegetation Management Supplement as well as the Lineman Life and Lineman's Rodeo News enewsletters. Amy also covers events such as the Trees & Utilities conference and the International Lineman's Rodeo. She is the past president of the ASBPE Educational Foundation and ASBPE and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from Kansas State University. She can be reached at [email protected].