Earlier this year, AEP Kentucky helped Evergy crews restore power across parts of Kansas after severe thunderstorms. Now Evergy is returning the favor.
Evergy has sent 120 line workers and support crews to Ashland, Kentucky, to help restore power after the brutal impacts of Hurricane Helene, which knocked out power to nearly 5 million people across the Southeast and killed at least 60 people.
This kind of relief work is part of Evergy’s membership in the Midwest Mutual Assistance Group, which lets Evergy call on different utilities for help restoring power after major disasters — and lets Evergy help other utilities when needed. Here’s Evergy Vice President of Distribution Ryan Mulvaney:
Power restoration has been slow going since the remnants of Helene hit the area Friday, with nearly 11,000 power outages reported after high winds and heavy rainfall damaged trees, electrical equipment, homes and vehicles. Ashland Fire Department staffers responded to nearly 100 calls within a 12-hour stretch Friday afternoon and evening, according to Ashland’s The Daily Independent.
The initial plan is for Evergy crews to spend up to two weeks helping AEP Kentucky restore the power grid. Another 200 contractors that often support Evergy in these kinds of relief efforts are going to Indiana for similar work with Duke Energy. All told, over 50,000 workers from over 30 states, the District of Columbia and Canada are headed to the Southeast to restore power.
