Pomona Park, FLA (WTAQ) – Progress is being made, but it’s still a slow go for 2 dozen WPS linemen and technicians helping to restore power to millions of Floridians who’ve been in the dark since Hurricane Irma roared through more than a week ago.
Crews were initially assigned to help out in Georgia, but a couple of days later were sent to Florida.
What they’ve encountered is one big job.
“Like a storm in the Green Bay area, this is probably like a hundred times worse.”
Steven Van Campenhout says there’s a lot of places that haven’t even been able to get into because the water is still too high.
Crews get their assignment every morning, go out and pull a 16 hour shift.
They’re warned before going out each day to watch for snakes, red ants….and gators.
“Well, we understand they can go o-to-40 pretty quick. So you don’t want to taunt them.”
One thing that makes the sometimes dangerous work, and long hours, worth it….is how grateful everyone is to see them
Darla Turner was thrilled to see the WPS truck pull up to her Pomona Park home.
“It’s been kind of a challenge, but we’re very, very thankful. It would’nt be appropriate for me to hug them…but I’d hug them all.”
Van Campenhout says the assignment was for 3 weeks, but if they’re needed to stay longer they will.
