Gulf Power sends new storm team to Puerto Rico

Gulf Power announced recently that it is sending a new storm team to Puerto Rico to help restore electricity and rebuild the country’s electrical infrastructure.

The 10-member team, which is made up of eight lineworkers and two support staff, will replace a team that recently returned after more than 60 days on the island. The new team is scheduled to spend approximately 30 days in Puerto Rico and will be assigned to the Barranquitas District of the Caguas Region, a mountainous region in the center of the island.

“While we’re used to working in hot weather and humidity during the summer months here at home, the temperatures have been a lot cooler, so we will have to adjust our work schedules and habits,” Josh Rogers, who will lead the team and is the district engineering supervisor in Panama City, said. “Along with the weather, the terrain is another safety concern. We’re not used to mountainous terrain and the narrow roadways we’ll encounter across the island. We just have to remember that along with restoring power, safety is our top priority.”

The team from Gulf Power will join a workforce of approximately 3,700 restoration workers and support personnel, including industry mutual assistance crews.

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority recently announced that power had been restored to more than 90 percent of customers in Puerto Rico who were impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. According to PREPA, 35 of the island’s 78 municipalities are 95 percent energized or more, and six municipalities have been entirely restored.

“Our main focus will be to get down there safely, work safely to rebuild the remaining infrastructure that is damaged in some of the hardest-to-reach areas, and get the team back home safely,” Rogers said.