Unsung Hurricane Heroes: Out of State Linemen

They got the call after the storm had passed and then came in droves to help.

Working 16-hour shifts under grueling conditions and a muddled (at best) dispatch system, the out of state utility workman from places like Ohio and Duke Energy were crucial in restoring power to those cut off during the storm.

As the days post-Sandy dragged on, many rumors and stories began circulating about the repair crews.

"I could give you a dozen annecdotes about crews sitting around waiting for work orders," said Chester Township Mayor Bill Cogger.

On the Mendham-Chester Patch Facebook page and in the story comments, readers have been sharing their conversations with the line workers, and reiterating stagnation in orders being dispatched.

But on a positive note, nearly the work that the boots on the ground have been doing has been appreciated by the residents.

While repairing a line in front of Black River Middle School this week, an Ohio Energy employee who chose not to be identified by name said that people couldn't be nicer to the crews, despite more than a week without power.

"Everywhere we pull up people come out of their houses and offer us coffee, or water of whatever they have," the Lineman said. "People keep stopping in their cars and telling us how much they appreciate our work."

In an article posted by the Charlotte Observer, Duke Energy employee Steve Cranfill said the restoration work is proceeding slower due to the amount of damage to the poles in the area. Putting up one new pole requires a lot of planning and preparation, often including clearing trees, and can take several hours.

“The most challenging part for us has been just the level of difficulty in the work,” Cranfill told the Observer. “You work for half a day and just get a handful of customers on because of the damage. We’re used to putting in that kind of work and getting a lot of customers on.”

The Duke Energy employees are here as part of a mutual aid contract where assisting companies keep track of their hours and expenses and then bill the local utility.

"These guys from Duke Energy are saints," Cogger said. "I have never seen folks work so hard and for so long trying to get power back to people."