ST. LOUIS – Recovery efforts from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene continue in the southeast and mid-Atlantic. Ameren Missouri has released over 300 contractors and internal line resources that are working around Glade Spring, Virginia.

Nick Henderson, manager of incident response and performance for Ameren Missouri, says where his crews are working is very mountainous and reports of damage are extensive.

“A lot of flooding damage, a lot of utility infrastructure damage. So, a lot of down poles, very inhospitable terrain, very hard-to-access terrain, if you can imagine,” he said. “A lot of hills and mountains and wooded areas, really what we’re dealing with.”

His crews are used to situations in the Midwest, but the mountainous terrain and landslides provide challenges.

“Number one, first and foremost, is the downed lines and thinking about that when you’re responding to these types of situations. And then the communities that we’re in supporting,” Henderson said. “Obviously, emotions are high, tensions can be high, so you have to really have good situational awareness around what you’re working around, not only from an electric infrastructure perspective, but just in the community.”

Henderson says his deployed crews love being able to support the communities that they’re in right now and our quiet weather here at home continues to allow them to do so.

“Just the feedback we’re getting is the communities we’re supporting or very appreciative of that support. Right now, you know, it’s going on day four or five that these folks are without power, but it sounds like they’re very appreciative of our support,” Henderson said. “The feedback is, and response has been very positive, very good for our crews. So, we’re just happy to help and be able to provide support where we can and try to get these communities back on their feet.”