Entergy Louisiana anticipating damage from Tropical Storm Nate, expected to hit Sunday
Tampa Electric is sending about 200 people to New Orleans to help Entergy Louisiana restore power after Tropical Storm Nate, which is expected to become a hurricane and bring heavy rain, storm surge and severe winds when it makes landfall early Sunday.
About 130 contractors, 40 linemen and 25 support personnel will leave the Tampa Bay area Saturday morning at dawn for the 600-mile drive to New Orleans, La.; they will be staged out of harm's way until the storm passes. They are prepared to stay for two weeks.
The storm is expected to strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane before it hits the Gulf Coast early Sunday. Heavy rain, storm surge and severe winds are expected to cause significant power outages.
Tampa Electric is a member of the Southeastern Electric Exchange, or SEE, which is a network of utilities who pledge mutual assistance in case of storm or other emergency. Crews supporting the restoration efforts of other utilities are paid by the host utility.
Tampa Electric, one of Florida's largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves about 750,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
