Electric company workers there to help once again

The destruction left behind in Florida from Hurricane Ian had barely seen the light of the next day when Interstate 10 heading eastbound was quickly full of electric company trucks.
By this past weekend there were dozens of convoys heading east and then south into the Sunshine State where billions of dollars in damage is now facing those who were the unfortunate ones to feel the wrath of Ian.
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 we were the ones very thankful to see help come from all around the country, especially electric company workers who were suddenly so vital at that time.
Let’s face it, electricity has to rate at the top of the creature comforts list. And especially since tropical storms mainly strike during the heat of the summer, the loss of electricity means the loss of air conditioning. While that is a hardship most of us can manage through, the loss of AC for some people can actually be deadly if they are elderly or face certain health issues.
When COVID crashed into our world over two years ago we were all especially thankful for the health care workers and their dedication to do the job they were trained for.
All of the various workers who are involved in utilities become just as valuable as the health care workers when particular disasters strike.
And you can say the same thing for law enforcement and first responders when other life-threatening problems arise.
The real picture here is of Americans who quickly put aside any differences when disaster strikes other Americans. We saw that most profoundly after 9/11 when Americans all came together in support of each other. There was little thought about your political party, race or what religion you believed in.
Some people might not view electric company workers in the same light as health care workers or first responders, but when disaster hits and you need them as desperately as they do in south Florida, your appreciation for their talents is as much as any other profession.
That is the kind of “neighbor helping neighbor” response we need to strive for in all aspects of our life. Whether it is a major hurricane causing destruction or being helpful to someone you know facing a challenging situation, the real message for us all is to look for ways to help others—rather than being too focused on ourselves.
At least for this time and season, it’s a reminder how much we appreciate the great job done by our electric company experts.