OPPD sends crew to Des Moines to help restore power after damaging storm

DES MOINES, Iowa (WOWT) - A utility crew from Nebraska is headed across the river to help their Iowa neighbors.

The Omaha Public Power District on Tuesday announced that it is sending a 17-person crew to the Des Moines area to help MidAmerican Energy restore power to residents after a damaging storm left tens of thousands without electricity Monday.

OPPD said it received a request through its mutual aid process — the same process used when MidAmerican sent crews to the Omaha metro following severe weather that blew through the area on June 26.

“It is extremely gratifying being able to return the favor,” said Brian Kramer, one of OPPD’s senior directors, in a press release Tuesday. “That’s what mutual aid is all about, utilities helping utilities restore power to our customers when they need it most. Electricity is a critical service, and we never take that for granted.”

The group being sent to Des Moines is comprised of three line crews, a safety team, a supervisor and two mechanics.

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