More than 20 Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) workers are on their way to assist Florida utilities as Hurricane Milton bears down on the state. The crews are responding to a call for help as Florida utilities prepare for power outages and storm damage.
WPS crews packed up their gear and trucks and drove off Wednesday morning, October 9, from the Green Bay Service Center. The crews plan to stop near Nashville, TN, on Wednesday night, and resume heading toward Florida Thursday. When they arrive, they will join crews from across the country in what is expected to be a massive power restoration effort.
“I am so proud to go and do this,” said Todd Schoepke, line electrician — WPS. “For me personally, I always call big trips like this when you’re helping out a lot of people that’s been devastated … it’s a like a Super Bowl for linemen.”
“There’s no shortage of volunteers. When something like this comes up, there’s always a waiting list of guys that want to go,” said Chad Ellis, line electrician — WPS. “It just shows your work ethic and how you want to help people.”
WPS crews will have familiar faces joining them in the effort. The company’s sister utility, We Energies, also is sending approximately 25 workers to help safely restore power in Florida. We Energies crews left from Racine Wednesday morning.
Late last month, 100 WPS and We Energies contract workers were sent to help utilities restore power following Hurricane Helene. Those contract crews remain in the southern U.S. to help restore expected power outages from Hurricane Milton.
WPS and We Energies 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. Last year, the companies sent crews to help restore power after extreme weather in California.