there are many workers going down from Ontario and Quebec. I hope that you all get power soon. My thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery but know it will be long for some of people

It is a heartwarming sightte when I see our Mississippi Power & Light aka Entergy trucks in a convoy heading to the disaster areas. Yes, these men do sacrifice many hours away from their families but they do it with a willing heart.

As to the AL story, it has been confirmed. My niece lives in the area. I'm hoping it was just truly a misunderstanding on the part of the supervisor on site. No help should ever be turned down. I do remember during Katrina, many volunteer workers not being allowed to go into the areas to work. A friend of my son's who owned a mobile home lot was moving mobile homes into the area. He coordinated with FEMA but never got the final ok to move them in. So many were living in tents. Now you can buy a whole fleet of FEMA trailers new that never got to the people. So sad.

I only was on the outer tip of Katrina but I so understand how totally devasting the storm damage can be. I was only w/o power for 7 days then but did have access to a generator.

God Bless all those still in need!

crews from Washington state's Snohomish County went to help, too. Yes, their own families were concerned but proud. How thoughtful of you to post such nice acknowledgements.

During our last ice storm the trucks carrying the linemen were a welcome sight. I made coffee and canned soup which my dh carried out to them. He thanked them and told them how much we appreciated them and to feel free to knock our door for more coffee as they were working in our area. Several of our neighbors did the same thing. We had been out of electric for 2 weeks and only using the generator to run the refrigerator and lights in the evening.

I can't imagine anyone turning help away, but then again people do strange things when they are stressed. Prayers are continuing for the victims of Sandy.

Just to let others know, Canada has also sent Hydro One crews to help. They left from Ontario & Quebec to help their brother electrical workers get power back up & running for those unfortunate to still be without power. OMG what a storm !! Southern Ontario also got remnants of Sandy but not nearly as bad as those in New York & New Jersey. We are all praying that you folks have the strength to get thru this & hopefully things will get back to some semblance of "normal" soon. May God Bless those affected by this terrible storm & to the "first responders".

amen to all the posts.this is a sad time for all up the east coast. i am glad to see them get the help they need..and families that lost loved ones i pray for them..

AndiR - thanks for posting the snopes link. I had read the headline here in NJ earlier in the week and was appalled! I'm glad to see it was a misunderstanding and that the issue is resolved. I had read originally that the crews went on to NY to help there. I also, agree that all the utility companies here should be grateful for any and all help that is being sent this way. I know as an 'end user' I was eternally grateful to all those workers from far and wide to have my power back after 5 days. Frankly, I suspected it would be much longer than that before we had power back. We were very fortunate that we had a generator and we also have natural gas services so our inconvenience was truly minor. DH and I were out the other night. The utility companies are being staged in the parking lot of one of the malls near to us. Couldn't believe the number of transformers, portapotties and trucks there. I'm sure it's not nearly enough yet and there are other staging areas throughout the state and region as well. We just keep praying that everyone gets their much-needed power restored as quickly as possible. It's chilly here now. Keeping fingers crossed that the storm expected later this week doesn't do too much more damage.

Thanks, NJ Quilter, for the Snopes link. That really clarifies the situation. Prayers to this country and especially those in NY/NJ.

I'm sure Florida sent crews as so many crews from as far away as Canada came and helped us when it was needed in 2004! It was such a joy to see them come!

Thanks UBE Quilting for bringing this up. I lived in Miami when Andrew hit and I remember the linemen from New Orleans were still there many months later. While these guys were put up in a very good hotel, I don't think that is the case of the "short timers", just a normal hotel and allowance for meals, none of the comforts of home, including family. And we never realize the strain it is on the families of these workers. So a big thanks to a lot of folks!