I spent the last three weeks in Florida, and it was unusually chilly this time of year. Normally in the 80’s in the past but this year it was lucky to get temperatures into the 70’s, more like the high 60’s during the day with wind blowing 15-20 mph. We had friends come down to Key West who wanted to rent a boat to go out fishing or sightseeing, but most days had wind and squall warnings, so the boat excursions never materialized. Frustrated, they returned to Virginia a day early. We left Key West, drove to the Tampa area to visit friends but reading about the Winter Storm Watch and Warnings decided to head back early.
Left early yesterday morning from Tampa, north on I75 to head back to Helen Georgia to drop off the RV before heading to San Antonio Texas. The idea was to leave Tampa a day or so early to arrive home before the winter storm hit. For several days all the media I saw was sharing how this is a big one, a Major Winter Storm for the ages. Predicted to have freezing rain and snow from Mexico to New York.
On the drive we passed several electric line trucks heading north like we were. After about 30 minutes and passing several more we realized that all these convoys were from power companies from various locations in Florida. These convoys were usually about 10-12 vehicles long with possibly a couple of support vehicles behind them.
We paid closer attention to the fact some were power line crews, others were tree service crews all heading north toward Georgia, South and North Carolina. We stopped for lunch in Cordeal Georgia and there were 8 trucks stopped at the Cracker Barrel eating before continuing their drive to north Georgia.
As we pulled off the interstate in Cornelia there were about 20 trucks staged in a parking area waiting for the storm to hit so they could get to work repairing or replacing fallen power lines. The power might be on now but these folks traveling north are ready to restore power as quickly as possible.
I found out that “Mutual aid agreements enable electric utilities to call on each other for skilled emergency workers and supplies. Public power utilities across the country benefit from the strong network of mutual aid partners through the American Public Power Association. These connections have created a reliable system where member utilities both request and offer assistance when there’s a need. FMEA is proud to serve as the mutual aid coordinator for Florida’s 33 public power utilities.”
These convoys are part of a broader, well-documented network where Florida utilities frequently send aid to other states during winter storms, while receiving similar assistance during hurricane season. Convoys often travel with volunteer crews supported by trailers containing supplies, including food, water, and tools for multi-day restoration efforts.
“At this time, six FMEA member utilities will head to four different South Carolina public power utilities, while crews from nine Florida public power utilities are scheduled to deploy to eight communities served by public power in Georgia. Florida’s mutual aid crews will assist the South Carolina and Georgia utilities with power restoration efforts in areas impacted by the winter storm.”
As with all severe weather events, “as the path of projected forecast impacts changes, utility crews may be deployed to assist with power restoration in other impacted areas.”
This is Florida's largest cold-weather mutual aid deployment to neighboring states in recent years, FEMA said.
It is great to see our neighbors from the South heading to these areas that will be affected by this winter storm because it screams the power utilities are preparing and taking proactive measures to help get power back on in the effected areas as quickly as possible.
I am positive that if you were traveling south on any of the interstate highways; I95, I85, I75 or I20 there were convoys heading this way from other parts of the country. I am proud to see that we are working together to solve a problem before it gets out of hand. Great job guys and gals!
This is just some of the companies sending crews to help. There was more than on this list but this is all I could write down while driving north:
TECO – Tampa Electric Co. CEI - Talquin Electric Fort Meyers Forestry
Praxel Line Services Good Ole Boys Electric Line Craft
Davey Tree Service Wright Tree Service Pike Tree Service
And others.