Florida

WATCH: Central Florida utility workers head to Louisiana as Hurricane Ida makes landfall

ORLANDO, Fla. — Utility workers from Orange and Osceola Counties are heading to Louisiana to help with recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida.

Crews from the Orlando Utilities Commission, and Kissimmee Utilities Authority departed early Sunday morning and are expected to arrive in Lafayette Monday.

READ: SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 rocket carrying ants, avocados, robot to space station

Both plan to assist local utility crews with expected power restoration needs following the storm.

KUA crews head to Louisiana

This morning a convoy of KUA crews departed Kissimmee just after 7:30 a.m. en route to Lafayette, Louisiana to assist with the restoration of power as Hurricane Ida makes landfall in the Gulf Coast. As part of KUA’s mutual-aid agreement with utilities across the nation, the utility sent 10 linemen, a convoy of vehicles to assist Lafayette Utilities System (LUS). The two crews who traveled from KUA include: George Blair, Eddie Gluc, Shane Paras, Kevon McKinsey, Brendan Laflamme, Chris Kitting, Garry Lamb, Brandon Kessler, Robert Rivera and Dustin Kelley. We appreciate their service! #ThankALineman #HurricaneIda -- Esta mañana, un convoy de brigadas de KUA partió de Kissimmee poco después de las 7:30 a.m. en ruta a Lafayette, Louisiana, para ayudar con la restauración de la energía cuando el huracán Ida toque tierra en la costa del Golfo. Como parte del acuerdo de ayuda mutua de KUA con las empresas de servicios públicos de todo el país, la empresa envió a trabajadores de línea, un convoy de vehículos para ayudar a Lafayette Utilities System (LUS). Las dos brigadas que viajaron desde KUA incluyen a George Blair, Eddie Gluc, Shane Paras, Kevon McKinsey, Brendan Laflamme, Chris Kitting, Garry Lamb, Brandon Kessler, Robert Rivera y Dustin Kelley. ¡Agradecemos su servicio! #HuracánIda

Posted by Kissimmee Utility Authority on Sunday, August 29, 2021

OUC sent 12 of its line technicians. The workers, who each volunteered to go, are expected to spend at least two weeks in the region.

READ: Belle Isle Police investigating after man, boy found dead in home

The KUA crews plan to “pre-stage” in Pensacola before continuing on to Lafayette Monday. They’re sending 10 linemen as well as a “convoy” of utility vehicles to assist the Lafayette Utilities System.

KUA also sent crews to Lafayette back in October to help with power restoration in the wake of Hurricane Delta.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.