OPPD mutual aid crews headed home after assisting in Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. (WOWT) - The Omaha Public Power District’s mutual aid crew is headed back after helping companies in four different states.
Ernie Ross, a Field Supervisor, led the 16-person OPPD crew a few days after Hurricane Helene hit.
“There was a lot of wind and tree damage and a lot of work that no one else wanted to do but our teams jumped in,” Ross said.
The crews just spent three days helping the Orlando Utilities Commission restore service to 83,400 of their customers.
It was certainly a team effort.
A dozen more workers form the Nebraska Public Power District and over 100 from the Nebraska Task Force 1 joined OPPD.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be asked to go help others when they’re in their time in need. It really is rewarding," Ross said. “It’s hard not to get choked up when I talk about that, but it’s there’s a lot of satisfaction and honor.”
A statement from OPPD says the extent of the power outages was less than expected.
OPPD’s crews left Florida on Sunday. They are coming home exhausted, but fulfilled by their work.
“They say they were honored to be able to be called upon to help these communities recover from extensive damage. And they are glad to have made a difference in the lives of thousands by bringing back such an essential service as electricity,” OPPD Media Specialist Jodi Baker wrote in an update Monday.
In all, the mutual aid crews helped restore power in Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, and Florida as Hurricanes Helene and Milton ravaged the south.
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