(SUMMERDALE, Ala.) - As Hurricane Sandy closes in on the east coast, power companies in South Alabama have been called to assist in the storm's aftermath.
A crew of about a dozen technicians from Baldwin EMC left their Summerdale headquarters around 10a.m. Saturday with as many power trucks and pickups. A company spokesperson said their resources and workers were called upon late Friday afternoon.
Baldwin EMC Vice President of Public Relations Karen Moore said crews will spend several days in Waverly, Virginia, and will move into storm-damaged areas when Hurricane Sandy passes.
"We've all been watching the weather reports, and the references to it being a 'Frankenstorm' and dumping up to, maybe, four feet of snow," Moore said. "We do expect them to be there for a few days. We even expect we could possibly get another call for more crews."
Baldwin EMC Technician Buddy Miller said while his crews have dealt with several hurricanes, a storm of this magnitude only happens every so often.
"Last time we went off on a big storm was a Kentucky ice storm a few years ago," Miller said. The ice up on the lines got so big it just broke the lines, poles and trees and all that stuff."
Miller said they are happy to help as power companies throughout the region have come to their aid on several occasions.
"They've come down here and helped us with many hurricanes," Miller said, "and (we are) just returning the favor, and trying to get the lights back on for the people in need."
Alabama Power will send 200 people to assist with anticipated power outages related to hurricane Sandy. 60 of those workers are said to be from the Mobile area.
