In anticipation of Hurricane Helene’s arrival in Florida, “thousands” of linemen are on their way to the state, as it may make landfall as a major storm with a Category 3 rating or higher. During a Wednesday morning press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at TECO Energy in Tampa, where numerous linemen are being assembled to prepare for the incoming storm. The governor confirmed that thousands of linemen are pouring into the state to help deal with expected power outages once the storm has passed.
Hurricane Helene is predicted to cause widespread impacts and bring devastating hurricane-force winds to portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia as its core moves inland. Due to Helene’s expected fast forward speed, damaging and life-threatening wind gusts are anticipated to extend well inland over parts of the southeastern United States, including the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Governor DeSantis highlighted the proactive approach taken by the TECO utility company during hurricanes, with trucks full of linemen arriving ahead of storms and working to restore power as soon as possible after they pass. He has also been in communication with other companies, such as electrical co-ops and municipal cooperatives, all of which are now fully prepared for the challenges that Hurricane Helene will bring.
The governor’s team, along with Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, have marshaled significant resources to support the affected counties. These resources include vehicles, tarps, generators, and additional personnel, such as the thousands of linemen who are now arriving in the state to help deal with Hurricane Helene’s impact.
Governor DeSantis has become well-known for his team’s remarkable hurricane response over the years, quickly building bridges and restoring power with tens of thousands of linemen at a rapid pace in the wake of storm-induced devastation. With “thousands” of additional linemen continuing to pour into Florida ahead of Hurricane Helene, residents can have confidence that their needs will be addressed as efficiently as possible.