KAUKAUNA — Kaukauna Utilities is sending two linemen to Florida to help with cleanup after Hurricane Ian moves its way through Florida in the next few days.
The two workers, identified as Rich and Eric by the utility, will provide mutual aid assistance for the incoming hurricane.
“We are proud of our crews who are always willing to serve other communities in times of need!” read a Facebook post from the utility. “Please wish our crew a safe trip down and back!”
The Florida Department of Emergency management is coordinating with utilities to ensure crews are prepared to respond and restore power, according to the Florida governor’s office.
Utility providers have more than 30,000 linemen staged and prepared for power restoration efforts.
A shelter-in-place order is currently in place for the Fort Myers area, according to Lee County Public Safety.
The order comes as Hurricane Ian’s eyewall moved onto Sanibel and Captiva islands about noon Wednesday.
Public Safety says it is important to stay indoors until it is safe to travel; it will take some time to allow crews to clear roads.
A National Weather Service monitoring station at Redfish Pass, Florida, recently reported sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) and a wind gust of 100 mph (161 km/h).
A Weatherflow station near Sanibel Island, Florida, recently reported sustained winds of 77 mph (124 km/h) and a wind gust of 107 mph (172 km/h).
The Earth Networks Station at the Naples Grande Beach Resort recently reported a wind gust of 112 mph (180 km/h.)
The storm surge had risen to six feet in Fort Myers by Wednesday afternoon.
The track of the storm is expected to move northeast to the Orlando area, where the Walt Disney World theme parks have closed for the duration of the storm.
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