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Florida Power & Light Workers Return to Florida After Helping Repair Louisiana Energy Grid Damaged by Hurricane Ida

By  //  September 23, 2021

FPL crews installed more than 1,500 poles, replaced more than 350 transformers

At FPL, safety is the cornerstone of our commitment to customers and employees. FPL urges Floridians to be prepared and be aware of potential safety hazards at all times, especially before, during and after severe weather. For storm and safety tips, visit FPL.com/storm.

JUNO BEACH, FLORIDA – Florida Power & Light Company’s workforce of more than 1,250 FPL and Gulf Power employees and contractors have returned home after three weeks helping Entergy Louisiana and Cleco restore power following Hurricane Ida.

The dedicated men and women worked 16-hour days in challenging conditions after the deadly Category 4 hurricane left more than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi without power.

FPL’s management teams supervised crews who installed more than 1,500 poles, replaced more than 350 transformers and raised more than 4,700 spans of power lines, helping to restore power to more than 44,000 Louisiana residents and businesses.

FPL also sent a 10-person logistics team to help get critical equipment to the hardest hit areas. Especially during a restoration like this one, which required most equipment to be rebuilt or replaced, materials management was key to getting the power back on for customers.

“I am so proud of our men and women for selflessly leaving their families for an extended period of time, including over the Labor Day holiday, to work long, grueling hours in support of our neighbors in Louisiana,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy.

“This was an extremely challenging restoration effort, including excessive heat and flooding. Severe weather events like Ida showcase our team’s commitment to safety, to the industry and to their fellow Americans in need.”

“I am so proud of our men and women for selflessly leaving their families for an extended period of time, including over the Labor Day holiday, to work long, grueling hours in support of our neighbors in Louisiana,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy.

While responding to devastation in Louisiana caused by Hurricane Ida, the team worked between outer bands of heavy rain caused by Hurricane Nicholas, which made landfall last week near Matagorda Bay in Texas. Louisiana was spared the worst of the damage, but Nicholas served as a stark reminder that we are now in the peak of hurricane season and must all remain prepared.

In addition to the workforce, FPL sent critical equipment to help Entergy Louisiana rebuild its damaged energy grid, including two semi-trailer trucks of critical parts to repair main transmission lines. Transmission lines carry large amounts of high voltage energy over long distances and are essential to providing power to communities. FPL also provided more than 150 power poles and other equipment to help rebuild neighborhood power lines.

FPL also sent two Community Response Vehicles to help make life a little easier for residents in Louisiana. These vehicles provided charging stations and Wi-Fi for customers without power.

Providing mutual assistance after natural disasters is a hallmark of the energy industry. Before making the decision to send help to other utilities, FPL makes sure its customers are taken care of and that no other storms are on the immediate horizon.