Ameren, Corn Belt sending workers to region struck by Irma

Posted on September 11, 2017
Approximately 500 Ameren workers in Illinois and Missouri are being sent to the storm-damaged region. (Photo courtesy Ameren Illinois)

By Greg Halbleib

ST. LOUIS – Local electric utilities are answering calls to help areas struck by Hurricane Irma.

Corn Belt Energy Cooperative crews left Sunday to help crews in North Carolina and Georgia, while Ameren sent workers to Florida.

Ameren’s Brian Bretsch said about 190 contractors were released last week to travel to Florida while another 30 Ameren Illinois personnel were released to travel there tomorrow. Bretsch said the utility’s crews have experience in mutual assistance during disasters.

“Our guys generally know that they need to pack enough clothing, and in this case we even said to bring extra water or food,” Bretsch said, “because with places being without power, we’re not 100 percent sure of where they’ll even be able to eat.”

Bretsch said the crews will perform a variety of duties.

“They could be putting back infrastructure in terms of power poles, transformers and running mile after mile of power lines,” Bretsch noted.

Ameren is sending crews to help Duke Energy in Florida, which has requested 8,000 linemen and 6,000 tree trimmers from across the country to help reconnect storm-struck areas.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]. 

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