MAINE, USA — Central Maine Power sent more than 50 employees to help restore power in the wake of Hurricane Helene, according to CMP's parent company Avangrid.
CMP sent 20 crews in its response to a mutual assistance request to support recovery efforts, joining two other Avangrid companies in the Northeast deploying workers.
Avangrid sent 198 line workers, damage assessors, and support staff to Virginia and North Carolina on Saturday, the company said.
In addition to CMP's 20 crews, New York State Electric and Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric sent 25 crews and the Connecticut-based company United Illuminating sent 28 crews.
CMP crews gathered at the Southbound Kennebunk Service Plaza on Saturday morning for a safety briefing before heading south.
The North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group issued the formal request through the industry's mutual assistance network, which is a voluntary partnership of electric companies in the U.S. and Canada.
"We are committed to restoring power whenever and wherever help is needed," Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra said. "Mutual assistance is an essential part of any wide-scale power restoration effort. Our line crews are some of the best in the industry, and I know they are eager to get to work to support the millions of Americans affected by this storm."
Avangrid said it evaluates the needs of its own customers before sending crews to assist other utility companies.