Ameren Missouri crews are on their way home after a 10-day mission to restore power to Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Irma. Ameren Missouri crews were part of an army of 60,000 utility workers who mobilized to assist with restoration and recovery efforts. This was the largest power restoration effort in U.S. history.
In total, Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Transmission deployed more than 1,000 full-time line workers, restoration support staff and contractors to assist Duke Energy and Florida Power and Light repair damage to their electric system caused by the hurricane. They were greeted by appreciative customers who provided food, drinks and notes of thanks as they worked to restore power.
According to the Edison Electric Institute, at Irma's peak on Sept. 11, there were more than 7.8 million Floridians experiencing a disruption in electric service. With the help of mutual assistance, more than 97% of impacted residents have had service restored.
"Today our Ameren Missouri crews are on the road heading home from a long week of exhausting work restoring power to Florida residents after Hurricane Irma," said Michael Moehn, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. "Extreme heat and difficult conditions were just a few of the challenges they faced. I am thankful to everyone – line workers, logistics and support staff -- who have spent countless hours working safely to help those in need. The residents of Florida showed an outpouring of gratitude for these tremendous efforts."
To learn more about Ameren Missouri's support during the restoration efforts, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfahu9whCsv3PC2LYJmbAGmmiotm3IlZE
Ameren Missouri crews were released by Duke Energy late in the day on Wednesday, Sept. 20, and are expected to be back at their home locations by the weekend.
Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois are voluntary members of the electric power industry's mutual assistance network through EEI. When called upon, a company will send either company employees, contractors, or both, along with specialized equipment to help with the restoration efforts of a fellow company. In essence, it allows a utility hit by a major or catastrophic storm to expand its workforce by borrowing field personnel from other companies in unaffected areas.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.