A crew of 14 Hydro Ottawa employees have said goodbye to family members, and are now heading to North Carolina in anticipation of Hurricane Florence. They are answering the call for assistance from Duke Energy, as American utilities brace for the impending damage from the Category 4 storm forecasted to deliver hurricane-force winds and dangerous storm surges this week.
Hydro Ottawa offers mutual aid to other utilities across the North Atlantic during times of crisis, lending skilled tradespeople and equipment on a not-for-profit basis. It is proudly a member of the North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group.
Extensive power outages are anticipated and in preparation a team of skilled power line maintainers from Hydro Ottawa are en route along with other members of the North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group to provide assistance.
Quick Facts
- The group travelling to North Carolina includes 12 powerline technicians, one safety specialist and one supervisor.
- Mutual assistance serves as an effective and critical restoration resource for utilities. Electric companies can increase the size of their skilled trades workforce by leveraging workers from other utilities in unaffected areas.
- The North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group enables its 29 member utilities to quickly access resources and support whenever assistance is needed to restore power. Its 29 member utilities serve approximately 36 million customers across eastern Canada and the United States.
- Hydro Ottawa has sent crews to assist with restoration efforts in Georgia following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma (Sept. 2017) and in Connecticut/New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy (2012). Hydro Ottawa has also offered mutual assistance to Canadian utilities including Hydro Quebec, Toronto Hydro and Hydro One.
- Heavy rain and flooding creates a unique and dangerous environment for utility workers and the public. Relying on their years of training, powerline technicians ensure public safety and restore power in the most challenging situations.
Quotes
“I am proud and grateful to these employees who are heading into the storm to help our American neighbours, as they brace for what could be one of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States in recent memory. The expertise that our crews bring in this specialized trade make them invaluable in this time of need.”
- Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer
Media contact
Daniel Séguin
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
Tel: 613-738-5499 ext. 2345
[email protected]