Power crews from Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) returned home today after a 12-day hurricane relief mission in south Florida.
KUA's crews were part of a multi-utility mutual aid effort that helped return power to approximately three million Florida Power & Light customers who lost service after Hurricane Wilma.
The crews, which departed Central Florida on Nov. 4, worked in the Ft. Lauderdale area replacing power poles and hanging new wire.
The linemen from KUA included Alan Burkhardt, Eddie Gluc, Gary Guinan, Dustin Kelley, Jon Latiolais, Alberto Mercado, Rodney Rocker, Luis Santiago, Barney Thompson and Jason Wright.
This trip marked the fourth time in three months that KUA crews provided mutual assistance to hurricane-ravaged areas. In August and September, KUA employees helped restore electric service to those affected by Hurricane Katrina in Key West, Fla. and Kiln, Miss. In October, KUA crews traveled to the Fort Pierce/Port St. Lucie area to assist with Hurricane Wilma restoration efforts.