As Irby Crews were wrapping up work in Texas following Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma made landfall as the first Category 5 hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. On September 10 Irma’s winds reached 185 mph in Cuba. It was the most intense Atlantic hurricane to strike the United States since Katrina in 2005.

Less than one month after Harvey, but after that same amount of time on the job restoring power, Irby crews packed their bags and headed for Florida rather than home.

“We had several crews working on a lot of different types of jobs before Hurricane Irma hit, but once we knew that she would hit Florida, they all sprang into action,” Brent Croft, General Superintendent said. “We had crews down in Southern Florida before the hurricane even made landfall so that they could be ready to work immediately after it passed over them.”

Well over 300 of Irby Linemen performed storm work this hurricane season. Many of which worked the two major storms, back to back. With more than 114,000 collectively under their tool belts, Irby crews in conjunction with other restorations crews from across the country including those from our Quanta sister companies restored power in the midst of two national disasters.

Hurricane Harvey and Irma caused mass destruction to numerous regions in and surrounding the U.S. Together. According to estimates from Moody’s Analytic, damage and lost productivity has the potential to cost between $150 billion and $200 billion.

On August 25, Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas as a Category 4 hurricane.

Harvey was the first major hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. It was devastating. Winds as strong as 130 mph left extensive damage to power infrastructure in their wake along the Gulf Coast from Rockport to Southeast Texas and into Louisiana.

Irby Construction crews were prepared before the storm hit. As Harvey made landfall, caravans of bucket trucks drove toward Texas, so the power restoration process could begin as soon as rain and winds subsided.

“Emergency restoration is both the most grueling and the most gratifying work Irby linemen address,” said Chris Swindoll, Superintendent. “Restoring power is often restoring some sense of normalcy for communities hit by these storms. It’s a process we’re proud to be a part of.”

More than 300 Irby men performed work this hurricane season, many of which worked Hurricane and Hurricane Irma, a storm that followed just days later, back to back. In total, Irby teams logged 114,000 restoration man-hour this hurricane season. They worked alongside many Quanta sister companies.

Hurricane Harvey and Irma caused mass destruction to numerous regions in and surrounding the U.S. Together. According to estimates from Moody’s Analytic, damage and lost productivity has the potential to cost between $150 billion and $200 billion.

Irby had the honor of sponsoring Mississippi Economic Council’s (MEC) Capital Day, which took place on Thursday, January 4 at the Jackson Marriott.

Over 1,000 business and community leaders from across Mississippi joined state officials and legislators for the event. At MEC Capital Day, attendees have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with legislators. Governor Phil Bryant and Lt. Governor Tate Reeves were among the attendees. Discussions took place at the State Capitol and centered around topics of regionalism and workforce development.

“MEC’s Capital Day was a great opportunity for us to network and share ideas on how to increase Irby’s workforce development,” said Amanda Lott, Director of Human Resources and Employee Development.

For more information and MEC Day and to see photos, click here.