Nova Scotia Power crew on the ground assisting with power restoration in Tampa
Power line technicians from Nova Scotia are on the ground in Tampa, Fla., assisting in power restoration after Hurricanes Helene and Milton barreled across the state, leaving extensive damage and millions in the dark.
A crew of 35 people from Nova Scotia Power arrived in Tampa this weekend and began work Saturday to restore electricity to some of the impacted homes and businesses after Milton hit last week.
"On the ground, we're seeing a lot of trees down and wires down... a lot of destruction," Paul Breski, restoration lead for the province's utility, said during a virtual media briefing Sunday.
Breski said crews are working 16-hour shifts dealing with downed trees and splicing lines to reconnect power.
The Nova Scotia crew joins hundreds of Canadian line workers who have travelled to the southern United States to help with restoration since Hurricane Helene hit in late September.
Breski said the impacts of Hurricane Milton in Tampa appear similar to what Nova Scotia experienced during post-tropical storm Fiona in 2022.
What's very different, Breski said, is the type of wildlife crews may encounter when working on reconnecting power.
“Back home, ticks are the big thing we worry about when you go in the woods, not snakes and gators. So it's a bit of an adjustment on that."
Breski said some of the wooded areas are very dense, and workers are using machetes to cut through thick vegetation to locate lines.
It's not yet clear how long the Nova Scotia crews will be working in Tampa, Breski said, adding "this is not a sprint, this is a marathon."
Crews have been welcomed warmly by locals, Breski said. "People down here are very friendly and happy to see us."
Floridians recovering from Hurricane Milton, many of whom were journeying home after fleeing hundreds of miles to escape the storm, spent much of Saturday searching for gas as a fuel shortage gripped the state.
Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Saturday morning that the state opened three fuel distribution sites and planned to open several more. Residents can get 10 gallons (37.85 liters) each, free of charge, he said.
"Obviously as power gets restored ... and the Port of Tampa is open, you're going to see the fuel flowing. But in the meantime, we want to give people another option," DeSantis said.
Officials were replenishing area gas stations with the state's fuel stockpiles and provided generators to stations that remained without power.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2024.
With files from The Associated Press.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Feds move to end port strikes, order binding arbitration
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says he is intervening to end the work stoppages at ports in both British Columbia and Montreal.
Canadian Union of Postal Workers issues 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has given a 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post.
'He begged me': Brampton, Ont. woman loses more than $200K to romance scam
A Brampton woman says she is devastated after she lost more than $200,000 — her life's savings — to a romance scam.
Driver rams his car into crowd in China, killing 35. Police say he was upset about his divorce
A man who authorities said was upset over his divorce settlement rammed his car into a crowd of people exercising at a sports complex in southern China, killing 35 and severely injuring dozens of others, police said Tuesday.
Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly
The principal of an Ottawa high school is apologizing to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service.
Church of England head Justin Welby resigns over handling of sex abuse scandal
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, resigned Tuesday after an investigation found that he failed to tell police about serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it.
Trump picks Kristi Noem to serve as his Homeland Security secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, according to two people familiar with the selection.
Northern Ontario teen recovering in hospital after being attacked; ex-boyfriend charged with attempted murder
Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was among approximately 120 people who gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil near the scene of a vicious attack against a 16-year-old in Cobalt.
Judge delays ruling on whether to scrap Trump's conviction in hush money case
A judge postponed a decision on whether to undo U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's conviction in his hush money case, after his lawyers called for freezing and ultimately dismissing the case so he can run the country.