Oklahoma utility crews helping restore power to Louisiana

Wednesday, September 7th 2005, 5:33 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Utility crews from Oklahoma are dodging alligators and poisonous snakes and working through heat and humidity in their efforts to restore power to Gulf Coast residents who have been in the dark since Hurricane Katrina.

Oklahoma Gas and Electric's storm leader Rick Berg says as power is restored, local residents show the workers gratitude. Berg says that attitude makes his crew want to work even harder.

Berg said OG&E crews could be in the area for several months, but crews will be rotated home every 14 to 17 days.

Berg's crews have worked 16 to 17 hours a day to restore power to residents north of New Orleans. Crews have had to replace 25 of 30 poles in a one-mile stretch. In some areas, it's been easier to tear down what's left of the lines and start over.