Hurricane Irma ripped through Florida last week causing catastrophic damage and widespread power outages. At the peak, nearly 7 million customers were without power, with more than 800,000 of those from Florida’s public power communities. In partnership with the American Public Power Association, the Florida Municipal Electric Association put out a nationwide call for mutual aid assistance, and the response from public power communities across the country was extraordinary.
More than 1,000 crews from public power in Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and across New England came to Florida’s aid.
Seven Iowa municipal utilities responded to the call for assistance, including:
- Alta
- Ames
- Denison
- Lake Park
- Muscatine
- Sioux Center
- Spencer
These crews are now back in Iowa.
To everyone who has reached out to help in Florida, especially to all the lineworkers who suffered through fuel shortages and severe traffic problem to come to Florida’s aid. Words cannot describe how grateful we are to each and every one of you. Thank you!