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Tipp City, Piqua send crews to help restore Florida power after Irma

Crews from municipal electric departments in Tipp City and Piqua are among those in Florida helping to restore power following Hurricane Irma.

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On Wednesday night, crews from both power suppliers restored power to around 7,000 people in Homestead, Fla., according to Tipp City Service Director Eric Mack.

Both communities have municipally owned power systems and responded along with others from western Ohio to a request for mutual aid through American Public Power Association, said Tim Eggleston, Tipp City city manager, and Ed Krieger, of Piqua's power system.

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Tipp City sent four employees and a truck while Piqua sent four employees and two trucks. Krieger said help also was sent by Hamilton, Celina and St. Marys municipal power systems The crews from Tipp City and Piqua were assigned to the Homestead area in south Florida, while the others were in the Tallahassee area.

The communities are reimbursed for their expenses.

Krieger said Piqua crews have also assisted following Sandy and ice storms in the south.

Eggleston said city council in Tipp City has been supportive of mutual aid when requested. "Council has always been of the mindset that we need to heed the call to assist other communities in rebuilding their lives. It is the humanitarian thing to do," Eggleston said.

It is not known how long the crews will be needed.

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