A Statesville Electric crew is on the way to Lafayette, LA,
to assist with the anticipated power restoration efforts needed after Hurricane
Delta comes to shore Friday afternoon. Lafayette
Utilities System, one of 2,000 public power communities in the United States, requested
the assistance through ElectriCities’ mutual aid arrangement. Several other N.C. public power utilities are
also traveling to Louisiana.
According to Statesville Electric Utilities Director John
MacLaga, the City is sending five linemen and a two-person tree crew. “Even though we only have three crews, we try
to do our share of helping out when major events occur. We didn’t have any hesitation sending our
folks down.”
Ironically, this is Public Power Week. “There’s no better way to celebrate Public
Power Week than by helping out another public power community,” said MacLaga. “This is what we do.”
It’s a 14-hour trip to Lafayette, where, upon arrival, the
crew will pre-stage in the CAJUNDOME, a multi-purpose facility.
Pictured from left are:
Donnie Barron and Robert Lindmark with Lewis Tree Service; and
Statesville Electric crew members Jamie Bishop, Joe Stroud, Matt Stinson, Ryan
Chapman and Tim Gillespie.