Xcel Energy sends support to Florida as Hurricane Ian arrives

Xcel Energy announced that it is sending approximately 270 contract workers to support Floridians as Hurricane Ian hits the state’s coast.

The company said that its support could grow if the hurricane grows to Category 5.

Hurricane Ian recently made landfall in southwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm.

Xcel Energy is part of the Edison Electric Institute’s Mutual Assistance Program, which helps speed up restoration efforts after major storms cause widespread outages, it said.

“When the call for help comes in, Xcel Energy and the entire electric industry answers that call,” Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy said. “When our customers experience adverse conditions, we know that they would do the same for us. It’s imperative that the electric companies work together to ensure the resiliency of our essential product as storm volatility increases.”