TULSA, Okla., October 7, 2024 – Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) workers are coming home after spending more than a week helping restore power to hundreds of thousands of Hurricane Helene victims across several states. PSO crews were released Sunday by Appalachian Power Company (APCO) following their massive effort to bring the lights back on for 282,000 customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.

PSO line crews, servicers, assessors, fleet mechanics and other personnel joined thousands of workers from across the country to rebuild and repair the energy grid, overcoming challenging terrain and devasting flooding. In total, 7,360 personnel from 27 states faced everything from fallen trees and debris to road and bridge closures.  

“Restoring power to so many people in such challenging conditions is an impressive accomplishment. We are very proud and appreciative of our employees’ contributions to these efforts,” said Dwayne Apple, PSO Distribution vice president. “The mutual assistance provided by PSO helped speed along the recovery and relief to APCO customers.”

In total, crews helped replace 1,455 poles, 214 miles of wire and 438 transformers.

As crews return home this week, PSO is monitoring the threat of Hurricane Milton making its way toward Florida’s west coast. PSO is prepared to send mutual aid if the need arises.