OG&E Crews Heading To North Carolina To Help With Hurricane Florence

Crew members and about 43 OG&E trucks are making their way to Raleigh, North Carolina, as residents in that area prepare for Hurricane Florence.

Experts say this storm could become one of the most catastrophic storms to hit the east coast in decades. Over a million people have already been ordered to evacuate in the Carolinas and Virginia.

Our Oklahoma crew should arrive in North Carolina by Wednesday evening, ahead of the Category 4 hurricane - that is expected to make landfall Thursday morning.

Read Related Story: 3 States Brace For Impact As Hurricane Florence Gains Steam

“To pre-stage like this is really helpful for us. We're kind of there from the word 'go’,” said Storm Lead and Construction Supervisor Kenny McKinzie.

Above all else, safety is the teams number one priority.

“We're going to be working for duke energy. And Duke has assured us that they have safe places for our members to stay. So we'll park our vehicles, hunker down in the safe areas that they have for us, and then after the storm passes, or shortly there after, we will begin restoration efforts,” said Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Douglas.

OG&E has a long history of sending crews to assist in natural disasters.  At least 50 OG&E trucks were sent to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

Read Related Story: OG&E Lineman Recount Their Experience In Puerto Rico

But crew members say this time, things will look a little different.

“This is more of the typical storm OG&E would face,” said Douglas.

As of right now, they are scheduled to be in North Carolina for seven to ten days. But if they are needed for longer, they will fly a fresh crew in to relieve the teams headed there Tuesday.