SWEPCO crews head to Florida ahead of forecasted category 5 Hurricane Milton

SHREVEPORT, La. (Oct. 8, 2024) – Dozens of SWEPCO mutual-aid crew members are in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, which reached Category 5 strength as it churns through the Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to make landfall in the Tampa, Florida area as at least a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday. 

SWEPCO restoration professionals are strategically positioned in Tallahassee, Florida, and Daphne, Alabama. Once Milton has passed through, they will assist Tampa Electric (TECO) with restoring power. These 69 crew members are expected to be on the ground helping TECO for at least a week. 

This is SWEPCO’s second mutual aid hurricane response in recent weeks. More than a hundred SWEPCO employees provided help for the company’s sister utility Appalachian Power, restoring electricity to affected customers in northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia following Hurricane Helene. Those crews returned home Monday after nearly two weeks of tireless work to help Appalachian Power rebuild infrastructure and support communities impacted by the storm. In all, more than 7,300 workers from 30 states traveled to help Appalachian Power following Helene.  

“These collaborative efforts underscore the spirit of the electric utility industry – one where neighbors helping neighbors isn’t just a saying, but a practice,” said SWEPCO President and COO Brett Mattison. “When SWEPCO suffered unprecedented storms in 2023 and a historic tornado outbreak following Hurricane Beryl that spirit of collaboration and support was on display. We are proud to offer support.” 

In the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene, the challenges were immense. Crews faced downed trees, impassable roads and significant flooding. Across southern Virginia and West Virginia alone, Appalachian Power reported more than 583,000 feet of fallen wire and extensive damage to 885 poles and 285 transformers making restoration efforts complex and dangerous. At the peak of the storm, more than 282,000 customers were without power and most have since been restored. 

“We’ve ensured enough of our workforce is available at home to continue delivering reliable service to our local customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas,” Mattison added. “The crews are fully prepared for the challenges ahead, committed to restoring power swiftly and safely during these critical times as we continue to serve our customers at home.” 

For those wishing to help victims of these storms, the American Red Cross is accepting donations at www.redcross.org.