Canadian linemen come to the aid of American disaster victims

Stéphan Perreault and his team have been helping restore power in North Carolina since Hurricane Helene hit in late September, and they don’t expect to return home anytime soon.

They are among hundreds, if not thousands, of Canadian power linemen who have been called in to help rebuild power grids after Hurricanes Helene and Milton left millions of Americans in the dark.

Mr. Perreault says the linemen witnessed scenes of devastation caused by Helene, having worked 16 hours a day in difficult conditions.

In particular, they saw roads washed away and electricity networks destroyed by wind and floods.

Hurricane Helene also caused at least 227 deaths. Although Mr. Perreault did not witness any human losses himself, he says the workers experienced many difficult moments, particularly when they encountered distraught people who lost their homes and their pets.

Stéphan Perreault said the team’s work in the Asheville, North Carolina, area was almost complete when Milton struck. He says some crews have already headed to North Florida to help in the aftermath of that storm, which initially left about three million people without power, and he expects to follow.

Hydro OneOntario, said Thursday it sent 50 additional workers to help restore power in Florida after Milton, in addition to the 100 who were sent to the United States after Helene. Nova Scotia Power sent about 35 people to Florida.

It’s important to help our neighbors and they do the same to support us during major storms here in Nova Scotia.

Mr. Perreault explains that the two companies he works for – Gagnon Line Construction et Holland Power Service – have more than 700 people on the ground from several provinces, including Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

Mr. Perreault, who is based in the Eastern Townships, says that many electricity companies – including Hydro-Québec and local companies in Sherbrooke, Magog, Coaticook and Jonquière – have allowed their employees to take leave to join the effort in the United States.

Welcomed like heroes

Daniel Dumas of Quebec power line company EEA says crews in North Carolina are living in difficult conditions, sleeping 16 people in a trailer and eating in a restaurant tent in a makeshift workers’ camp.

Mr. Dumas, who was due to join the team on Friday, said they woke up at 5:30 a.m. and worked until 9 or 9:30 p.m. to rebuild the dilapidated power grid.

However, he says they are encouraged by the gratitude shown to the members of the Canadian teams who are welcomed like heroes by citizens who offer them food, coffee and thanks. In one memorable moment, a pastor even approached one of the work trucks to bless the team, he said.

Mr. Perreault agrees. Although the trip was filled with difficult moments, he was also hit with small acts of kindness, including from people who offered to use their VTT and golf carts and brought snacks and water, and from restaurants that quickly mobilized to feed hungry workers.

Pierre Duval, an employee of the Ontario company Sproule Powerlinewas traveling from South Carolina to Florida on Friday. He said he saw flooding, downed power lines and trees falling on homes, as seen on television.

It’s a disaster, […] just a disaster.

Mr. Duval, from Alfred and Plantagenet in Ontario, concludes that the work of the last few weeks has been difficult, but he says he is used to it, except for the heat. He has been in the United States for about two weeks and has no idea when he will return home.

Oh my God, I don’t knowhe said. It’s not me who decides. Every time they release us, we go home and it takes us three days to drive back.