Utilities provide Sandy support

Two six-man Idaho Power Company utility crews have safely arrived in Brookhaven, New York to help Long Island recover from the effects of Superstorm Sandy and help restore power to the region. IPC Regional Operations Manager Bo Hanchey said the crews would be stationed at Brightwaters Substation and will be housed in trailers and tents provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The damage is much worse than I expected,” Hanchey said. “There are so many downed trees that it’s hard to even see the full extent.” Beyond the hurricane damage, Hanchey said crews are battling cold temperatures, high winds and 6-8 inches of snow from Wednesday night’s storm.

Rocky Mountain Power has dispatched 18 employees, including 16 linemen and two managers to New Jersey to support power restoration efforts. Spokesman Dave Eskelsen said the crews are prepared to be there for up to three weeks. Additional employees and contract crews may be released to assist with restoration efforts later.

One of the managers is Justin Allen, who is a Rocky Mountain Power distribution manager in Preston, Idaho