Waterloo, Iowa—As Hurricane Irma was bringing its swath of devastation toward Florida Sept. 8,
members of two Iowa International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers locals were headed south to help repair utility infrastructure and restore power. Members of IBEW Locals 109 and 499 were among the 90 electric line workers and contractors, 16 support staff, and 150 contract tree trimmers MidAmerican Energy sent south to aid with the cleanup for several weeks. “These highly skilled professionals will work safely and efficiently to restore energy services and help the area return to normal, and we look forward to their safe return home when their work in the restoration effort is complete,” Local 499 business manager Randy Phillips and Local 109 business manager Tim Wolfe said in a joint statement. The crews were slated to gather at a staging area in Lake City, Fla., where Interstates 10 and 75 meet in the state’s north, and then go where they’re needed. Read more
