CPS Energy crews head to Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – CPS Energy crews are heading to Florida to help restore power in neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Dorian.

A convoy of about 30 trucks with 65 workers headed out Wednesday morning on the way to Jacksonville, Florida.

“We have bucket trucks, pole setting trucks, trailers and a gas truck,” said Rudy Garza, CPS Energy Senior Vice President of Distribution Services and Operations. “We also send a fleet team to take care of our trucks if they break down or if they have a flat tire.”

Garza watched as the crews departed the CPS Energy Eastside Service Center around 6 a.m. Wednesday. They’ll spend the night in Moss Point, Mississippi before continuing the trip to Jacksonville, Florida Thursday morning. When they arrive, they’ll report to Jacksonville Electric Authority for their assignments.

“We’ve worked in Jacksonville over the years, so our linemen are pretty familiar with that system,” said Garza.

While they’re scheduled to work in Jacksonville, they could be assigned to other areas in Georgia or the Carolinas. They could be gone up to three weeks, and if they’re needed longer than that, CPS Energy will dispatch crews to replace them, so that they can come home to their families.

John Kosub is heading to familiar territory. He helped restore power in the Florida Keys and Jacksonville area two years ago after Hurricane Irma.

“I just hope we all make it there and make it back, do our job efficiently and get the lights back on,” Kosub said before heading out. “The main thing is coming home to our families.”