Thirty-three Memphis Light, Gas and Water employees will join restoration efforts in Long Island this weekend in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy. The hurricane left millions along the East Coast without power, with Long Island being a particularly hard-hit area. The employees will assist with repairing overhead and underground services. In addition to linemen, MLGW is also sending specialists to assist in the restoration of Long Island’s underground electric network. MLGW will also cover the linemen’s efforts through its blog, “Bird on a Wire” at www.mlgw.blogspot.com.
 
Long Island Power Authority reported more than 650,000 customers without power as of Thursday afternoon. The MLGW crews will join local and out-of-state utility workers who are collaborating on the massive restoration effort.
 
“The Northeast faces a tremendous restoration effort,” said MLGW President and CEO Jerry Collins Jr. “Just as other utilities have assisted us in the past, MLGW is committed to helping restore power to the residents of Long Island.”
 
The crews will depart either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.