OPPD mutual aid crews staying in southeast as Hurricane Milton approaches

MACON, Ga. (WOWT) - The Omaha Public Power District’s mutual aid crews are staying out east as one storm ends and another one approaches.

For the past week, OPPD’s crew has been assisting Appalachian Power in their efforts to restore electricity to the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Helene. They left Omaha on Sept. 28 and spent six days in Virginia and West Virginia, restoring power in rural parts of the Appalachian Mountains, which the locals refer to as the “hollers.”

On Monday, that part of the relief effort came to an end.

“[Appalachian Power] released our team from service with a great deal of gratitude today, as their power restoration effort following Hurricane Helene is wrapping up,” OPPD Media Specialist Jodi Baker wrote in an update Monday.

But the work is far from done, as the southeastern U.S. braces for another violent storm. Hurricane Milton — rated a Category 5 as of Monday afternoon — is set to make landfall Wednesday, when meteorologists expect it to ravage the state of Florida.

Out of precaution, the Orlando Utilities Commission is already requesting help from mutual aid crews — OPPD’s included. The Omaha team will stay in Macon, Georgia on Monday before making their way to Orlando. OPPD assured that its crews will stay in a safe location until the storm has passed and it’s safe to begin work.

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