Pacific Power Sends Crews from Medford to Aid Hurricane Helene Recovery

Medford, Oregon- Pacific Power has mobilized crews from several Oregon and Washington locations in response to a mutual aid request from Georgia Power, following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. The Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour, struck the U.S., affecting 10 states. The National Hurricane Center reports the storm’s effects extended 400 miles from its landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region.

The deployment includes 22 employees from Pacific Power, equipped with 20 trucks and heavy machinery. Teams are coming from Medford, Bend, Roseburg, Astoria, Grants Pass, Walla Walla, and Yakima to assist in the restoration of power in impacted communities. Additionally, four crews from Pacific Power’s sister company, Rocky Mountain Power, have joined the recovery effort.

“Our crews are fully prepared and will work tirelessly to restore power to customers in Georgia and support our fellow line-crews across the affected states,” said Tom Eide, vice president of operations at Pacific Power. “Disasters can happen anywhere, and part of being a good neighbor is answering the call to help.”

Pacific Power is part of a national network of utilities providing mutual assistance during emergencies. According to the Edison Electric Institute, 50,000 electric utility workers from 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada are responding to the widespread damage caused by the hurricane.

Although power has been restored to 4.69 million of the 6 million customers affected, some areas face significant infrastructure damage that will require extensive rebuilding.