Utility crews from Texas-based Austin Energy and CPS Energy will begin arriving in Jacksonville on Tuesday to aid JEA with its response to Hurricane Dorian.
According to JEA Media Relations Manager Gina Kyle, 500 utility workers have requested lodging along with assisting Jacksonville's public utility.
Trees Inc., a Houston-based vegetation removal service, brought in 54 people Monday.
Kyle said JEA’s tree-trimming program team “has been on the ground since last week” performing vegetation management.
With the likelihood of more downed trees citywide from Dorian's winds, JEA officials said they want to ensure resources are available.
The remainder of the crews are scheduled to arrive Tuesday and Wednesday.
JEA has invested about $25 million in permanent backup generation for wastewater pump stations since FY 2017 in response to Hurricane Matthew.
“Where we don’t have permanent backup generation, we have secured portable pumps and generators and the vehicles and crews needed to deploy if necessary,” Kyle said.
JEA is trying to ensure that service continues to Duval County's 12 public evacuation shelters.
“We have completed on-site inspections at all city shelters and began 24/7 monitoring of the shelters at 10 a.m. We will have outreach staff at all of the shelters after the storm subsides,” Kyle said.
“All key commercial accounts have been contacted to ensure that we have the correct emergency contact information needed,” she said.
Kyle said JEA is emphasizing the importance of making sure customer information is up to date, which can help the speed of the recovery effort.
Customers can sign in and review contact information at JEA.com.
“JEA is prepared to continue recovery efforts until all customers who are able to receive power have their services restored,” Kyle said.
Florida Power & Light Co., which provides electric service to neighboring St. Johns and Nassau counties, also is receiving personnel and equipment from sister utility Gulf Power Co., based in Pensacola.
Gulf Power is sending 100 line workers to aid FPL and has 225 employees and 180 contract workers standing by.
FPL spokesman Bill Orlove said most of the assistance has been sent to a staging area at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach to be deployed where needed.
Orlove said Tuesday afternoon the need for St. Johns and Nassau counties was unclear.
Kyle said that as of Monday, JEA is not receiving or aiding other utilities operating in Northeast Florida.
FPL has coordinated with JEA in the past. FPL CEO Eric Silagy was the first utility industry leader to publicly state interest in acquiring some of all the Jacksonville public utility as JEA explores privatization.