Florida Power & Light Company recognized for restoration work in North Carolina after Hurricane Florence
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) recently received The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Emergency Assistance Award for its contributions to restoration efforts in North Carolina communities following Hurricane Florence.
The storm made landfall as a Category 1 storm on Sept. 14, 2018, and moved throughout Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. It caused causing extensive flooding and power outages.
“Helping our neighbors in the Carolinas after Florence was one of four mutual assistance trips we took part in last year,” FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy said. “It speaks volumes of the character of the men and women that we have at FPL. They’re willing – whenever needed – to go and help others. We know all too well what it’s like after a hurricane and we will always stand at the ready to provide additional assistance whenever and wherever it is needed. I’m honored our crews’ hard work is getting such recognition.”
FPL sent more than 900 employees and contract workers to North Carolina to assist Duke Power following the storm. Crews worked 16-hour days for nearly two weeks to restore power to residents. FPL workers helped restore power to 25,000 homes and businesses in Columbus County, North Carolina and other areas affected by the storm. Crews also assisted in other ways, such as repairing flat tires and providing phone charging stations.
FPL received the award at EEI’s Winter Board and Chief Executives Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
“When disasters strike, neighboring electric companies respond quickly to assist with recovery and restoration efforts,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said. “Our mutual assistance network is a hallmark of the electric power industry. FPL’s extraordinary efforts – amidst hazardous conditions – helped to restore service for customers in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Florence quickly and safely.”
FPL deployed crews four times last year to assist partner utilities in restoring power. FPL crews helped restore power in the Bayamon region of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria and in Florida’s Panhandle and Georgia after Hurricane Michael. The company also sent engineers to support the restoration effort after December’s Winter Storm Diego in the Carolinas and sent lineworkers to Paradise, Ca., after the Camp Fire.
