It was an early morning on Jan. 23 for Lakeland Electric, as crews were racing to get to South Carolina ahead of Winter Storm Fern.
The municipal-owned utility company sent off a team of 21 employees, a combination of linesmen and mechanics, in preparation to help Rock Hill Utilities in South Carolina recover from any weather-related impacts, according to LE spokeswoman Cathryn Lacy.
“Mutual aid assistance is one of the greatest strengths of public power utilities. Public power utilities across the country rely on this national network of skilled crews to support one another during emergencies, whether that’s a winter storm or a hurricane,” Lacy said in a statement. “We’re proud to step in and help when other communities need it, just as utilities from across the country support us during storm restoration here at home.”
The crews headed out early on Jan. 23 with two bucket trucks, a pickup truck and some specialized equipment. Lacy said the crews brought an easement bucket, a smaller bucket lift that can fit through fence gates and other narrow spaces such as alleyways and backyards.
This will help crews by using a bucket for hard-to-reach utility poles in need of repairs, rather than attempting to climb in icy, potential dangerous conditions, Lacy said.
The convoy will have to make a brief stop before reaching South Carolina, as Florida diesel doesn’t typically contain anti-freezing agents to prepare their vehicles for wintry weather, Lacy said.
All 21 employees volunteered for the assignment and will be paid for their time by the City of Rock Hill, in addition to being provided with shelter and food. Lacy said a trailer was sent with sleeping bags, snacks, basic first aid and mechanical supplies.
Severe winter weather is expected to hit South Carolina and other mid-Atlantic states on Saturday night and extend through Sunday, according to the latest forecast reported by USA Today.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland Electric crew heads to South Carolina to help with winter storm
Reporting by Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
