Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. is sending a 30-person contingent to assist Georgia Power with their restoration efforts after Hurricane Helene caused devastating floods and left millions without power throughout the southeast. As of midday on Wednesday, approximately 1.3 million customers are without power throughout the southeastern United States.

“Sending our power line technicians to Georgia is a testament to the spirit of mutual aid that defines our industry,” Ryan Hawthorne, Vice President of Electric Engineering and Operations at Central Hudson said. “Just as we lean on other utilities and partners in an electric emergency at home, we understand the need to return that favor and lend a helping hand when others are responding to such powerful events.”

More than 50,000 workers from at least 40 states, the District of Columbia and Canada are working on restoration efforts in the southeast, making it one of the largest mutual assistance mobilizations ever, according to the Edison Electric Institute.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s panhandle region as the strongest hurricane on record to hit that area. It caused flooding and devastation across six southeastern states, including Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. The hurricane was particularly deadly, with over 100 lives lost, making it the deadliest storm in the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

A 30-person contingent of Central Hudson workers prepares to leave to help aid in restoration efforts in Georgia following Hurricane Helene.