Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) crews are hard at work restoring power in Florida after the significant damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Approximately 25 WPS workers arrived in Tampa last weekend, getting right to work to get the lights back on for people without power due to the storm.
The WPS crews are among tens of thousands of utility workers from across the U.S. who are making repairs after Hurricane Milton knocked out power to people across Florida. The crews continue to see substantial damage — including toppled trees, flooded homes and broken electric equipment — while also managing hot temperatures and unfamiliar wildlife like snakes.
“Our crews are able to make good decisions, able to work safely, able to work efficiently and try to get through what they are giving us,” said Jon Joanis, operations manager — WPS, who is among the workers in Tampa. “The local lineworker we’re paired with has been very impressed with the guys’ work ethic, our coordination and speed of restoration.”
WPS crews began their work in northwest Tampa last Saturday, jumping in and helping restore power to a hospital affected by the storm. The crews are now working to make repairs to some of the main power lines in the city’s neighborhoods. Each time, residents have been quick to share their thanks, offer crews something to eat or drink, or express their appreciation for coming all the way from Wisconsin to help.
“We had customer after customer coming up and thanking them,” Joanis said. “One guy drove by and said he wanted to come and visit Wisconsin because he heard of all the great supper clubs … he actually threw some names out there that guys knew. Our northern guys were very appreciative of that and thought it was pretty funny.”
The sister utility of WPS, We Energies, also has crews working to restore power in Tampa. Crews aren’t sure when their work in Florida will be finished, but they are committed to helping as long as they are needed.
“We’re here, doing good work and helping people out … it’s kind of what it is all about,” Joanis said. “If we can come help, we’re ready and willing to do so.”
WPS and We Energies crews are experienced at helping with hurricane restoration efforts. Both companies helped restore power in Puerto Rico following the devastation from Hurricane Maria in 2017. Both companies also assisted in restoring power in Georgia and Florida after Hurricane Irma, and last year they sent crews to help restore power after extreme weather in California.