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KUA sends linemen to help Puerto Rico; for some, it's personal

New efforts are underway to help with the crisis in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, where 83 percent of residents are still without power.
Six linemen from the Kissimmee Utility Authority are on their way to the island to help restore power.
For some of the workers, the trip is personal. 
They still have family in Puerto Rico that continue to struggle because of the damage caused by Hurricane Maria.
KUA held a sendoff Tuesday morning for crews who are on their way to San Juan.
Friends and families said their goodbyes before they loaded into vehicles and took off for the airport.
The linemen said they’ve seen the devastating pictures and videos of the island, so they know it will be hard physically and mentally as they work around the clock to restore power.
“It’s been hard trying to get the trucks there, but we got the materials and the trucks there (now),” said Roberto Diaz. “We can go and start working, and helping people.”
Diaz said he hopes to meet up with his family on the island.
The linemen will be I Puerto Rico for the next 30 days.

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Jeff Levkulich

Jeff Levkulich, WFTV.com

Jeff Levkulich joined the Eyewitness News team as a reporter in June 2015.