SAN DIEGO, Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reports from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) crews working on the storm-stricken east coast in the field are now being posted online at http://sdge.com/SandyRestoration.  "Postcards from Superstorm Sandy" will document SDG&E crew activities and experiences on the east coast through the duration of their work.

SDG&E crews began their work restoring power on Saturday, Nov. 3.  The 43 SDG&E employees are providing assistance to Orange & Rockland Utilities and making repairs to the overhead distribution system in Warwick, New York.  Since Saturday, SDG&E has restored power to more than 800 residents of the rural town located just north of New York City.

"Customers stopped by job sites throughout the day expressing their thanks to our employees for their services," said Jim Valentine, in a recent post.  "One customer barbequed hot dogs for the crews…another crew received a standing ovation in a restaurant…even the mayor of Warwick stopped by to talk to the crews and say thank you.  Spirits are up and we are truly making a difference."

So far, SDG&E crews have seen widespread damage including downed power lines and poles, damaged transformers and fallen trees.  According to weather reports, a winter storm is expected to hit the east coast today bringing snow and even colder temperatures, making getting power restored to customers even more important.

The SDG&E employees left for the east coast Nov. 2 on board a military transport flight and are expected to stay approximately 10 days.  A total of 26 pieces of equipment, including mechanized line trucks and aerial/bucket trucks, were also shipped.  The crew is said to be part of the largest mobilization of utility workers in U.S. history.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 800,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.  The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles.  Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region's quality of life.  SDG&E is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE).  Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. 

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Twitter: @sdge

SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric