Wyoming utility sends help to Helene survivors

CASPER (WNE) —- Hurricane Helene has impacted 10 states and affected areas as far as 400 miles from its landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region.

In response to a plea for help from Georgia Power, Rocky Mountain Power is sending crews, emergency management and support personnel from Utah, Wyoming and Idaho to aid in power restoration efforts following the catastrophic damage caused by the Category 4 storm.

At least 133 deaths in six Southeastern states have been tied to the storm, according to reporting by the Associated Press.

Roughly 6 million energy customers experienced some level of disturbance due to the hurricane, according to the Edison Electric Institute, an association representing American electric companies.

Twenty-three RMP employees equipped with 14 trucks and associated heavy equipment are headed east to help restore power to impacted communities.

“Our crews are fully prepared and ready to respond as they work tirelessly through the deployment to restore power to customers in Georgia and to support our fellow line-crews across the affected states,” said Chris Spencer, vice president of operations at Rocky Mountain Power.

Rocky Mountain Power is part of a nationwide network of utilities that provide mutual assistance during emergencies and disasters.

Around 50,000 electric utility workers from 40 states, the District of Columbia and Canada are working to restore power where it has been lost, according to the Edison Electric Institute. Power has been restored to over 4.5 million customers, but some areas experienced such extreme infrastructure damage that a complete rebuild is required, according to Rocky Mountain Power.

This story was published on October 6, 2024.