Grand Island, Neb. — Six linemen from the Grand Island Utilities Department are headed to Albany, Georgia, to assist with power restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The team, consisting of Garret Porter, Judd Garner, Brady Bushhousen, Trevor Post, Jeff Warren, and Kaden Reimers, departed just hours after receiving the go-ahead on Wednesday morning.
They take a lot of pride in helping other utilities, and the camaraderie between the linemen is strong, said Bryan Fiala, Grand Island’s electrical distribution superintendent.
Fiala emphasized the mutual support between utility teams, noting, It’s not ‘if,’ but ‘when’ we’ll need assistance from other utilities.
The linemen face potential hazards, such as falling trees and damaged poles, but Fiala assured that they are fully prepared and equipped to handle these dangers under the guidance of local utilities in Georgia.
The team expects to stay for about a week, depending on the storm’s impact, as Hurricane Helene is projected to make landfall Thursday in the Florida Panhandle.