THE LIGHT AFTER THE STORMS
Natural disasters don't always wait their turn. Some arrive on the heels of the last one, carving deeper and wider paths of destruction and putting even greater demands on the IBEW workers who not only restore power but also help restore faith among suffering people that life will go on.
Early this fall, Mother Nature landed a one-two punch on Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas with hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Thousands of IBEW members in the Southeast — linemen, tree trimmers, outside construction crews and gas system workers — and hundreds more from as far as the West Coast, New England and Canada helped devastated residents take the first steps toward recovery.
Their communities had been wrecked by wicked winds and historic storm surges. Without lights, power, internet and cell service, millions of people were isolated, afraid and unable to communicate — until utility crews made their way as fast as they could.
"This is by far, and it's not even a close second, the largest natural disaster in this state's history," Atlanta Local 84 Business Manager Drew Stover said after Hurricane Helene.
As always, it was exhausting, dirty and dangerous work. But there were also joys — a crew that saved a life, gracious and giving victims and the kindness of children, like the little girl who tugged on a member's shirt and handed him a homemade thank-you card.
On pages 4-5, you'll read about moments of generosity and high spirits and brotherhood amid the perils of day-to-day life as a lineworker in the most challenging of circumstances. |