Wisconsin electric utility workers return home after Hurricane Milton power restoration efforts in Lakeland

Wisconsin electric utility workers returned home after helping with Hurricane Milton’s recovery in Florida.

The team of 47 workers from 22 communities was originally set to help out in Kissimmee, Florida, but was redirected to Lakeland, Florida, where the damage was more severe.

The Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin (MEUW) workers helped restore power in the area for about 86,000 customers. MEUW noted lineworkers from Wisconsin worked alongside crews from eight other states and Lakeland Electric employees. As of Tuesday, MEUW said there are fewer than 100 customers without power. Wisconsin crews were able to finish their work in about a week.

The Municipal Utilities of Wisconsin (MEUW) workers helped restore power in the area for about 86,000 customers in Lakeland, Florida.(Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin)

MEUW’s Director of Safety Services and Operations Mike Czuprynko praised his crews, noting the sacrifice they made to help those in Florida.

“They left their families for an uncertain amount of time,” Czuprynko said. “But they saw people in difficult circumstances who needed help, so they dropped everything to answer the call. The work is highly skilled and can be dangerous. We were able to help out and bring a little bit of ‘Midwest nice’ to the people of Florida.”

The Municipal Utilities of Wisconsin (MEUW) workers helped restore power in the area for about 86,000 customers in Lakeland, Florida.(Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin)

Czuprynko described the work as incredibly challenging at times. Czuprynko also thanked Wisconsin workers who stayed at home, saying they did double duty to keep up the work in the Badger State.

“At times, our guys were working in flooded areas where the water was waist-high or tight spots where it was difficult to maneuver safely,” he said. “We saw a lot of damage you’d expect with a catastrophic storm like this — broken poles, downed wires, and damaged trees. We got to it, and we got it done.”