Line workers to help Entergy Louisiana restore power after Tropical Storms Laura and Marco
Tampa Electric sent more than 100 people to Louisiana today to help Entergy Louisiana to restore power after Tropical Storms Laura and Marco hit the region.
About 110 Tampa Electric line workers, contractors and support personnel left at dawn for the nearly two-day drive to the New Orleans area. They will help restore power as soon as it is safe to do so. Crews are prepared to stay for two weeks.
The crews will be using appropriate pandemic protocols, such as one person in each truck and hotel room, wearing masks, checking their temperature and properly disinfecting tools and other surfaces. Meals will be individually boxed, and crews will practice social distancing.
Tropical Storm Marco is currently forecasted to hit Louisiana on Monday; Tropical Storm Laura is expected to hit the region late Wednesday, perhaps as a hurricane. Widespread power outages and flooding are expected across the region.
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 a 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 780,000 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.
