Oklahoma Electric Crews Going to Assist Florida

Green Country electric crews are heading to Florida Monday to assist with any possible damage from Hurricane Ian.

More than 200 people from multiple Oklahoma power companies are going to Florida to help in any way they can as a category four hurricane is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.

95 OG&E crew members and 150 PSO workers are driving from Oklahoma to southern Florida ahead of Hurricane Ian, which is predicted to hit the state as a category four storm, packing 130mph winds.

“The crews will be doing a variety of work from troubleshooting to finding out what caused power outages, rebuilding lines and poles, installing transformers, all the work it takes to restore power, it’s the same type of work they do here when we have storms,” said Andrea Dennis, the OG&E VP of distribution.

Hurricane Ian already ripped through the Cayman Islands, leaving behind weeks of cleanup. These Oklahomans say they will stay in Florida for as long as they can lend a hand.

“That’s how the grid stays resilient in America through the utilities helping each other in these sort of situations,” said PSO Spokesperson Wayne Greene.

“We recognize how important power is to everyone in everyday life,” Dennis said. “We want to make sure that all people have power as soon as they can weather happens we can’t control that but we can safely and efficiently restore power.”

Kenny McKinzie has been restoring power in times of need across the country for 26 years. He said there is no better feeling than seeing how happy people are to see a lineman after the tragedy.

“We are going to the hard-hit areas and the devastated areas and you see the people who have been affected by the storms and you can help them get their lights back on it just makes you stick your chest out and you’re proud of who you are and what you’re able to do and what this team is able to accomplish,” McKinzie said.

These power companies will stay in place for as long as they are needed, but after two weeks new crews will likely be sent down to relieve workers already on the ground.