Electricity companies from around the US began rushing crews to the hurricane-ravaged South on Tuesday to help restore power to an area so devastated that it could be weeks or even months before the lights come back on in many places.
"It's catastrophic. Working conditions are hazardous. It's hot and humid," said David Botkins, a spokesman for Dominion Virginia Power, which sent 200 workers to Louisiana and Mississippi. "The entire grid system in these areas is completely ruined. They're starting from scratch."
Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on Monday, packing winds of 233kph, killing dozens of people and swamping thousands of homes in one of the most punishing storms on record in the US. Nearly 2 million customers were without power Tuesday in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
PHOTO: AP
"It looks like it's going to be a massive undertaking," said Jim Owen, spokesman for Washington-based Edison Electric Institute, a group of 200 investor-owned power companies.
In a mutual aid arrangement, companies are sending workers by the dozens and the hundreds to assess damage, erect power poles, put up lines, clear debris, trim trees and arrange food and housing for fellow workers. A caterer volunteered to accompany 125 workers from Tampa Electric Co who headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Tuesday.
Columbus-based American Electric Power Co, the nation's largest power generator, has dispatched 1,000 workers and contractors from its operating companies, topping the 800 it sent to Florida last year to help after Hurricane Jeanne. North Carolina utilities contributed at least 1,800 workers, with some being told they will be gone at least two weeks.
"We're sending all the folks we can spare," said Melissa McHenry, an AEP spokeswoman.
Some utilities already had workers in Florida, where Katrina knocked out power to 1.45 million customers last week, and may send them to other stricken states. Other companies were holding back workers in case of outages as the hurricane dumps rain and possibly produces tornadoes as it moves north and east.
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