An eight-member team and a variety of vehicles from Leesburg’s Electric Department are working in the Florida Panhandle area to help with recovery efforts following Hurricane Michael.
The crews left Leesburg on Tuesday, driving north to Tallahassee with four bucket trucks, two line trucks with pole trailers and two pickups. The Leesburg Electric Department lineworkers currently are deployed in the Tallahassee area along with teams from other municipal utilities.
Leesburg electric workers are expected to remain in Northern Florida for two to four weeks, as the incredible destruction caused by Hurricane Michael has left many Panhandle communities without power.
“Although the effects of natural disasters are devastating, at times like these public power is at its best because our mutual aid agreements assist other communities to restore energy quickly and safely,” Leesburg City Manager Al Minner.
Last month, another eight-man crew was sent to North Carolina to help repair damage caused by Hurricane Florence. In past years, similar teams from the Leesburg Electric Department have participated in recovery efforts throughout the state and around the country, providing mutual aid after numerous natural disasters, including hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Irene, Sandy, Hermine and Matthew.
Damage from Hurricane Michael is estimated to cost in the billions. To help storm victims, you may donate to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP NOW. The Salvation Army also accepts donations at www.salvationarmyusa.org.
