One local business incubator located in Elizabethton is doing its part to help a U.S. territory that has been afflicted by national disaster.
Carter County Commissioner Charles Von Cannon provided the Elizabethton Star with an update on the status of Moody Hauling’s trip to Puerto Rico to assist with electrical repairs in the territory.
Recently, the team of Wilfred Moody, Jeff Burks and Michael Irwin made the trip down to San Juan, Puerto Rico one week ago and traveled by land and by sea to assist with the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Maria – which made landfall throughout the region mid-September through the first of October.
Dubbed as the worst natural disaster in Dominica and Puerto Rico, roughly 60 percent of light poles were destroyed in the territory, leaving 3 ½ million residents without electricity.
It is a bit different compared to the normal routine of company, according to Von Cannon. Moody Hauling typically spends time hauling boats along the East Coast but the winter months tend to bring a little bit of a lull in action.
With the opportunity to assist, Moody and company wasted no time making their way to the damaged-ridden area with three electrical trucks.
“They’re normally boat haulers,” Von Cannon said. “With this project, they will be setting poles, clearing the right of way and doing other projects to help restore the electrical infrastructure.”
Reports started to circulate national Wednesday afternoon that some schools were able to experience electricity for the first time in over 100 days.
Von Cannon added the work by the workers will be paid for by FEMA and that he is hoping to receive updates from the workers in the coming days.
Bemberg continues to produce some different amenities across the region and Von Cannon added he was happy to see the area lend a helping hand to those that have affected by natural disaster.