NewsPalm Beach CountyRegion C Palm Beach CountyWest Palm Beach

Actions

FPL sends field crews to help restore power in North Carolina

Posted at 8:22 AM, Sep 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-16 08:24:45-04

As rain continues to fall throughout North and South Carolina, more than 800,000 people are in the dark after losing power due to Hurricane Florence.

However, it isn't just energy companies in the Carolinas that are working to help these families get back up and running.

FPL sent more than 900 men and women to help assist Duke Energy and other electric companies in the aftermath of the storm.

“The last couple of days we’ve been safely up here in Charlotte, North Carolina going over our safety briefings and checking the trucks to make sure they are well equipped and ready to run efficiently once we go out to the hardest hit areas,” said FPL spokesperson Tyler Mauldin. 

For one of these linemen it's more than just lending a helping hand.

“To help my family and friends in the town, city I grew up in,” said FPL senior line specialist Gerald Nixon. 

Gerald Nixon lives in Wellington, Florida but his parents live in Wilmington, North Carolina one of the cities in the direct path of Hurricane Florence.

“The trees be tumbling over,” said Ruth Nixon. 

Ruth and her husband didn't evacuate and said they only lost power for a few minutes before it was restored. However, as the wind still blows and rain continues to saturate the area she's now just thinking about her son.

"It makes me feel really good that he’s out there helping those that are in need,” said Nixon.

FPL said it will keep crews on the ground until power is restored. However, they are unsure exactly how long that will be.