Hurricane Safety – When the Power’s Out Fatality File

Two Alabama Power workers were fatally electrocuted while helping to restore power in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida

Two Alabama Power workers were fatally electrocuted while helping to restore power to the area in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida on Tuesday, taking the storm’s death toll up to seven.

The victims have been identified  as Eli Nathaniel Babb and Layton River Ellison, both 19 year olds who worked with Pike Electric, which does contract work with Alabama Power.

Officials said they were electrocuted when they were doing powerline distribution work and ‘came in contact with an energized power line’ in western Jefferson County at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

In response, Louisiana introduced stricter regulations on generator sales, requiring vendors to provide safety instructions with every purchase. Public safety agencies also distributed carbon monoxide detectors to residents in hurricane-prone areas.

These deaths highlights the critical need for public education on the safe use of generators during power outages. The loss serves as a somber reminder of the hidden dangers that can arise in the aftermath of hurricanes.

Rescue crews from nearby Hueytown, Adger, Concord, Birmingport and Antioch assisted at the scene, WVTM reports, but the two boys were pronounced dead on the scene at 11:20 a.m.

James Banner, the senior vice president of Pike Electric, called it a ‘horrible day’ in a statement to Al.com, and said the company’s prayers were with their families.

Alabama Power officials also said in a statement: ‘We have been made aware of a tragic accident involving Pike Electric employees supporting Alabama Power in storm restoration. Our thoughts are with the Pike Electric family during this time.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk