Maritime Electric crew to help restoration efforts in Turks and Caicos Islands
A group of Islanders are on the way to provide some relief to the hurricane-battered Turks and Caicos Islands.
A group of seven Maritime Electric employees, one supervisor and six line technicians, left the province Saturday to restore power in the group of islands, which was devastated by Hurricane Irma last week.
Maritime Electric spokeswoman Kim Griffin, said the crew was assembled on Friday after employees were asked if they were interested in helping with the relief efforts.
“Our crew members are anxious to go and help restore power,” said Griffin.
“We’re all very proud of them, they all volunteered very quickly to go and help with the relief efforts.”
The Maritime Electric employees are part of a relief group of 60 employees from Canadian Fortis utilities.
The initial group, which will
also include members of Newfoundland Power, FortisBC, FortisAlberta and FortisOntario, will be gone for two to three weeks to assist with
FortisTCI’s restoration efforts.
The group left Toronto Sunday for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Hurricane Irma has been responsible for at least 24 deaths in the Caribbean as well as thousands of flooded and destroyed homes.
Downed trees and utility poles have cut off power while also making many roads impassable, with officials having estimated damages in the gateway island of Providenciales to be at least half a billion dollars.
And after all the initial damage, the region was still bracing for incoming Hurricane Jose.
“For some of them, this is the second or third time in their career they’ve gone to provide assistance in the Caribbean.” Kim Griffin
On Saturday, Griffin noted that “everyone is watching closely and people are pretty nervous with another storm front coming.”
Fortunately, the Jose appeared to turn north on Sunday without affecting much of the Caribbean.
Griffin said she hopes to be able to reach the Maritime Electric crew by satellite phone once they get to the islands.
“We’ve certainly said Islanders are going to be praying for them and will want to know how they’re doing.”
A statement from Fortis said the group’s first priority will be restoring power to critical infrastructure, such as water supply systems, and to emergency response organizations like police, hospital and fire departments.
Griffin noted this is not the first time Maritime Electric employees have provided relief in the region.
“For some of them, this is the second or third time in their career they’ve gone to provide assistance in the Caribbean,” said Griffin.