As efforts to recover from the catastrophic destruction wrought by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana continue, one local utility will be sending extra assistance later this week.
Monday, Evergy announced it is mobilizing roughly 100 crews from across Kansas and Missouri to send to Louisiana to help restore power and repair damaged equipment in the state. Evergy Spokesperson Gina Penzig says providing mutual assistance to one another regardless of state borders has long been a common practice amongst utility companies on a national scale.
An exact timeline for when crews will depart and return has yet to be announced, however, Penzig tells KVOE News that crews will likely be leaving at some point Tuesday.
While Evergy is mobilizing work crews, local non-profit agencies are also stepping up to do their part to assist in relief efforts. This includes the United Way of the Flint Hills according to Executive Director Mickey Edwards.
She tells KVOE News that while there are no local fundraising efforts ongoing or volunteers being sent to Louisianna at this time, the agency is acting as a passthrough for relief donations on behalf of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana.
Edwards says the United Way of the Flint Hills is “ready to go” whenever a “call to action” is sent out from Louisiana. For more information on how you can assist or donate to Hurricane Ida relief efforts visit Unitedwayoftheflinthills.org or Unitedwaysela.org.
