KU and LG&E sending crews to Florida ahead of hurricane

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – With a state of emergency declared for all of Florida and Hurricane Matthew tracking in the state’s direction, Kentucky Utilities Company and Louisville Gas and Electric Company are answering a call for utility assistance ahead of the storm’s arrival.

KU and LG&E have coordinated the release of more than 140 contractor line technicians, team leaders, tree trimmers and additional support staff to assist Florida Power and Light.

The contractor crews are being dispatched from areas across the KU and LG&E service territory including Lexington, London, Louisville, Maysville, Mount Sterling and Richmond, Kentucky as well as Norton, Virginia.

The crews will mobilize and begin the trip to Florida Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. Once they arrive, they’ll participate in pre-staging activities as officials track the hurricane’s path and will be assigned to locations as needed following its impact.

The efforts are a result of KU and LG&E’s participation in nationwide mutual assistance organizations, in which a collection of utility companies assist other utilities in times of natural disasters and crisis situations.

KU and LG&E participate in four mutual assistance programs with Southeastern Electric Exchange, Great Lakes Mutual Assistance, Midwest Mutual Assistance and Southern Gas Association. The partnerships provide access to invaluable resources and hundreds of crews from more than 20 states when mobilizing for potential large scale restoration efforts.