NPU crews arrive in U.S. Virgin Islands to help
Region battered by two hurricanes
Norwich — Three Norwich Public Utilities employees taking part in a mutual aid effort on the U.S. Virgin Islands are dealing with very challenging conditions for themselves and the community they are assisting, NPU officials said Monday.
Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands in September, with reported wind gusts approaching 200 mph that snapped nearly every utility pole on St. Thomas, an island with a population of more than 50,000.
NPU is part of the mutual aid effort organized by the American Public Power Association (APPA). The Water and Power Authority (WAPA) of the U.S. Virgin Islands is a member of the APPA. The water and power authority has reported that 260 linemen arrived on the islands last week, and another 150 are expected by Oct. 27 and 100 more by Nov. 3, NPU said in a press release updating the utility’s aid to the islands.
NPU employees and equipment left Connecticut on Oct. 8 and arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday. Space on barges heading to St. Thomas was limited, and the departure of the NPU equipment was delayed by two days, and arrived in St. Thomas on Sunday.
Chris LaRose, assistant general manager for NPU, provided an update over the weekend to NPU officials. LaRose will serve as a field supervisor and is joined by NPU linemen Mike Summer and Tom Holmes.
NPU and other APPA-member employees are staying aboard a converted container ship with nine containers stacked three levels high. The containers have three compartments, each with a shower and bunk beds for four people.
The galley on the ship is feeding the crews, and the food was described by NPU employees as “reasonable,” NPU spokesman Chris Riley said. The three container ships in the St. Thomas harbor are providing housing for utility workers, American Red Cross officials, National Guardsmen, U.S. Coast Guard personnel and FEMA personnel.
LaRose reported that there is very little business activity in St. Thomas, with only a restaurant, a coffee shop, pharmacy and small grocery store open, all running on generators. Security guards are on duty at the grocery store. Many gas stations, however, are open with no lines, LaRose reported.
NPU employees will mainly work around Smith Bay and Tutu. Efforts on Monday were focused on unloading trucks and equipment, staging materials and taking initial steps to rebuild the electrical system.