The Edison Electric Institute today presented Hydro Ottawa with the association’s “Emergency Assistance Award” for its outstanding work assisting customers impacted by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
Hydro Ottawa sent a group of 26 employees, including highly skilled powerline maintainers, to rural Georgia to assist in power restoration after Hurricane Irma devastated many communities in the southern United States.
Our crews worked side by side with Georgia Power and other utilities offering mutual aid to quickly get the job done - working 14 to 17 hour days to help those in need.
Quick Facts
- The award is presented to Edison Electric Institute member companies to recognize an outstanding response in assisting other electric companies in power restoration efforts after severe weather conditions or other natural events.
- Hurricane Irma knocked out power to approximately seven million people in the southern United States, including 1.5 million people in Georgia.
- Georgia Power customers experienced widespread and extensive damage due to high winds, heavy rain and fallen trees as a result of Irma.
- Hydro Ottawa crews mostly dealt with high numbers of broken poles, downed lines, blown transformers in very rough terrain within the Blue Ridge Mountains in Clayton, Georgia where elevation sits at over 2200 feet above sea level.
- It is believed that the aftermath of Hurricane Irma resulted in the largest power restoration effort in United States history with utility crews traveling across North America to assist.
- Hydro Ottawa is a member of the North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group. Made up of 29 utilities from across north-east Canada and the United States, members agree to deliver not-for-profit assistance during times of crisis.
Quotes
“There are 26 reasons why this award is incredibly meaningful. Twenty-six employees gave up time with their families, going above and beyond to help others. This recognition will serve as a powerful reminder to our crews that the work they do matters. It matters a lot to the people here at home, and to those in communities far from home that they assist during times of crisis.”
- Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro Ottawa
“When disaster impacts a region, electric companies from across the nation are called on to assist impacted companies in need – mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry, When Hurricane Irma struck, Hydro Ottawa answered the call to help. Hydro Ottawa’s assistance to restore service to impacted customers is a terrific example of mutual assistance in action.”
- Tom Kuhn, President, Edison Electric Institute
Media contact
Daniel Séguin
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
Tel: 613-738-5499 ext. 7684
[email protected]