By Tom McGhee | Special to The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
As Hurricane Irma pounded Miami on Sunday morning, a convoy filled with Xcel linemen, and other employees, left Denver to help Florida’s utility companies get customers back on the power grid when the storm is over.
The 71 members of the group are among 200 employees that Xcel, based in Minneapolis, is sending from Colorado and seven other states.
“There are 40 trucks now heading to Kansas City and then heading to Florida,” Mark Stutz, Xcel spokesman said. The group is going to Tampa to help Tampa Electric with recovery efforts, and is expected to be in place by Wednesday morning.
Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via APThe winds and sea are whipped up off of the Rickenbacker Causeway as two people cross the street in Miami as Hurricane Irma approaches on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Wilfredo Lee, The Associated PressWaves crash over a seawall from Biscayne Bay as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami.
Wilfredo Lee, The Associated PressSailboats moored near Watson Island ride out the winds and waves as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami Beach, Fla.
Wilfredo Lee, The Associated PressA crane atop a building under construction appears after it collapsed as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in downtown Miami.
Gideon J. Ape via APA crane atop a high-rise under construction in downtown Miami collapsed Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, amid strong winds from Hurricane Irma. The crane collapsed in a bayfront area filled with hotels and high-rise condo and office buildings, near AmericanAirlines Arena, according to a tweet from the City of Miami.
Helene Valenzuela, AFP/Getty ImagesA firefighter helps a sailor to secure the anchoring of his boat on Sept. 4, 2017 at the harbour in Pointe-a-Pitre, on the French overseas island of Guadeloupe, as part of preparations for arrival of Hurricane Irma.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesWorkers install storm shutters as hurricane Irma approaches Puerto Rico in Fajardo, on Sept. 5, 2017. In Puerto Rico, a US territory of 3.5 million, Governor Ricardo Rossello activated the National Guard and announced the opening of storm shelters able to house up to 62,000 people. The major of the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto, ordered 900 municipal employees -- police, emergency personnel, and aid and social workers -- to report for rotating 12-hour shifts.Even if Puerto Rico is spared a direct hit, the mayor said, three days of pounding rain will do heavy damage.
Helene Valenzuela, AFP/Getty ImagesPeople queue at a supermarket as they buy goods as part of preparations ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma on Sept. 5, 2017, in the French overseas island of Guadeloupe. Irma picked up strength and has become an "extremely dangerous" Category Five hurricane as it approached the Caribbean on September 5, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center reported. The monster hurricane, the most powerful of the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale, is about 270 miles east of the island of Antigua packing maximum sustained winds of 175 miles (280 kilometers) per hour.
Andy Newman, The Associated PressEd Rappaport, the acting director of the National Hurricane Center, draws a line to illustrate the projected track of Hurricane Irma up Florida's west coast Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 during a television interview.
Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via APWaves crash against the Southernmost Point in Key West, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. Hurricane Irma's leading edge bent palm trees and spit rain as the storm swirled toward Florida on Saturday.
Chris O'Meara, The Associated PressStorm clouds associated with the outer bands of Hurricane Irma shroud the downtown skyline Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. Several parts of the Tampa Bay area are under a mandatory evacuation order for the approaching storm.
Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via APThe winds and sea are whipped up off of the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami as Hurricane Irma approaches on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Jim Rassol /South Florida Sun-Sentinel via APA young girl and her family seek shelter from Hurricane Irma at the West Boynton Park and Recreation Center in Boynton, Beach, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Wilfredo Lee, The Associated PressPeople stand next to palm trees as they look at churning waves and high winds along Hollywood Beach, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Wilfredo Lee, The Associated PressA young boy plays in the waves churned up by Hurricane Irma on Hollywood Beach, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Gerald Herbert, The Associated PressEvacuees stand in line to enter the Germain Arena, which is being used as a shelter, in advance of Hurricane Irma, in Estero, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Jay Reeves, The Associated PressThousands of people wait in line to get into a Hurricane Irma shelter at the Germain Arena in Estero, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Chris O'Meara, The Associated PressRamsey Abdelkader, right, helps Sherri Skala, left, and Jennifer Morales fill sand bags to help protect their restaurant Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Business and residents were under a mandatory evacuation order as Hurricane Irma continued to churn towards Florida.
David Goldman, The Associated PressAnna Leanaz carries her mattress as evacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated PressEvacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated PressEvacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated PressHector Padron carries his mattress as evacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated PressAnnette Davis kisses her son Darius, 3, while staying at a shelter in Miami after evacuating from their home in Florida City, Fla., ahead of Hurricane Irma Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated PressTim Grollimund looks at the projected path of Hurricane Irma on his phone while staying in a shelter in Miami after evacuating his home in Key Largo along the Florida Keys, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Bob Mack/The Florida Times-Union via APWaves crash on the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., as Hurricane Irma approaches Florida on Saturday Sept. 9, 2017.
David Santiago/Miami Herald via APThe Interstate remains empty as the outer bands of Hurricane Irma reached South Florida early Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Miami.
Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via APA man walks along the beach with heavy winds and threatening skies in Hollywood, Fla., as Hurricane Irma approaches the state on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated PressKeith Gahagan takes a photo of the early effects of Hurricane Irma in Naples, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. Gahagan plans on riding out the storm in Naples but on higher ground further inland.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA photo taken on Sept. 7, 2017 shows damage in Orient Bay on the French Carribean island of Saint-Martin, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. France, the Netherlands and Britain on September 7 rushed to provide water, emergency rations and rescue teams to territories in the Caribbean hit by Hurricane Irma, with aid efforts complicated by damage to local airports and harbours. The worst-affected island so far is Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, where French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe confirmed four people were killed and 50 more injured.
Dieu Nalio Chery, The Associated PressA woman carries her grandmother away from her home which was flooded by rains brought on by Hurricane Irma, in Fort-Liberte, Haiti, Friday Sept. 8, 2017. Irma rolled past the Dominican Republic and Haiti and battered the Turks and Caicos Islands early Friday with waves as high as 20 feet (6 meters).
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesDebris and trash is seen on a beach in Cap-Haitien on Sept. 7, 2017, as Hurricane Irma approaches. Irma was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 185 mph (295 kph) as it followed a projected path that would see it hit the northern edges of the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Thursday, continuing past eastern Cuba before veering north for Florida.
Dieu Nalio Chery, The Associated PressA boy sits on wall near his home flooded by heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Irma, in Fort-Liberte, Haiti, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. Irma rolled past the Dominican Republic and Haiti and battered the Turks and Caicos Islands early Friday with waves as high as 20 feet (6 meters).
Curtis Compton, Atlanta Journal-Constitution via The Associated PressA fleet of utility trucks head south along Interstate 71 toward the Georgia coast, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Griffin, Ga., in preparation for Hurricane Irma. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Dieu Nalio Chery, The Associated PressLucita Leonce 71, complains in front of her home flooded by heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Irma, in Fort-Liberte, Haiti, Friday Sept. 8, 2017. Irma rolled past the Dominican Republic and Haiti and battered the Turks and Caicos Islands early Friday with waves as high as 20 feet (6 meters).
NASA, NOAA GOES Project via Getty ImagesIn this NASA/NOAA handout image, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma (C) in the Caribbean Sea, Tropical Storm Jose (R) in the Atlantic Ocean and Tropical Storm Katia in the Gulf of Mexico taken at 15:45 UTC on Sept. 08, 2017. Hurricane Irma barreled through the Turks and Caicos Islands as a category 4 storm en route to a destructive encounter with Florida this weekend.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA picture taken on Sept. 7, 2017 shows inhabitants of the Sandy town neighborhood clearing off wreckages in a street in Marigot on the French Carribean island of Saint-Martin, after the passage of Hurricane Irma.
Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty ImagesHundreds of people gather in an emergency shelter at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center in Miami, Florida, Sept. 8, 2017, ahead of Hurricane Irma. Florida Governor Rick Scott warned that all of the state's 20 million inhabitants should be prepared to evacuate as Hurricane Irma bears down for a direct hit on the southern US state.
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesPeople sit on a tree next to a flooded river, in the north east of Haiti, on Sept. 8, 2017, during the passage of Hurricane Irma. Irma has been downgraded to a Category Four hurricane but is still extremely dangerous, the National Hurricane Center said.
Osvaldo Gutierrez Gomez, ACN via The Associated PressHandlers from the Cayo Guillermo dolphinarium prepare dolphins for their transfer to the dolphinarium in Cienfuegos, located on Cuba's southern coast, just hours before the arrival of Hurricane Irma, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. Irma spun along the northern coast of Cuba, where thousands of tourists were evacuated from low-lying keys off the coast dotted with all-inclusive resorts. Irma has left at least 20 people dead and thousands homeless on a devastated string of Caribbean islands. (Osvaldo Gutierrez Gomez/ACN via AP)
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty Images filePeople walk in a street that was flooded in Malfeti, in Fort Liberte, Haiti, on Sept. 8, 2017, during the passage of Hurricane Irma.
Facebook / Carole Greaux / Restricted To Editorial Use - Mandatory Credit "afp Photo / Facebook / Carole Greaux " - No Marketing No Advertising Campaigns - Distributed As A Service To Clients Carole Greaux, AFP/Getty ImagesThis handout picture released on the Facebook account of Carole Greaux on Sept. 6, 2017 shows a flooded street in Gustavia, on the French administered territory of Saint Barthelemy, during the passage of Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Irma ripped through the Caribbean, with its violent winds and torrential rains leaving a trail of devastation and killing 12 as it barreled towards the United States where up to a million people were told to flee.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA photo taken on Sept. 7, 2017 shows damage in Orient Bay on the French Carribean island of Saint-Martin, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. France, the Netherlands and Britain on September 7 rushed to provide water, emergency rations and rescue teams to territories in the Caribbean hit by Hurricane Irma, with aid efforts complicated by damage to local airports and harbours. The worst-affected island so far is Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, where French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe confirmed four people were killed and 50 more injured.
Amy Beth Bennett, South Florida Sun Sentinel via The Associated PressCarol Schumacher, who plans to ride out Hurricane Irma with her husband, Bob, and dog Casey, sits in a lawn chair in the front yard of her Lauderdale-By-The-Sea home as her husband finishes up hurricane preparations Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Pompano Beach, Fla. ( Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesTOPSHOT - A photo taken on Sept. 7, 2017 shows damage in Orient Bay on the French Carribean island of Saint-Martin, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. France, the Netherlands and Britain on September 7 rushed to provide water, emergency rations and rescue teams to territories in the Caribbean hit by Hurricane Irma, with aid efforts complicated by damage to local airports and harbours. The worst-affected island so far is Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, where French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe confirmed four people were killed and 50 more injured.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesTOPSHOT - People look at damage on Sept. 7, 2017, in Marigot, near the Bay of Nettle, on the island of Saint-Martin in the northeast Caribbean, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. France, the Netherlands and Britain on September 7 sent water, emergency rations and rescue teams to their stricken territories in the Caribbean hit by Hurricane Irma, which has killed at least 10 people. The worst-affected island so far is Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, where eight of the 10 confirmed deaths took place.
Ian Brown, The Associated PressIn this image made from video shows a damage to a post office caused by Hurricane Irma in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. Hurricane Irma weakened slightly Thursday with sustained winds of 175 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm boasted 185 mph winds for a more than 24-hour period, making it the strongest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm was expected to arrive in Cuba by Friday. It could hit the Florida mainland by late Saturday, according to hurricane center models.
Dieu Nalio Chery, The Associated PressPersonal papers and notebooks recovered from a flooded home are spread out on a cot in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Fort-Liberte, Haiti, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. Irma rolled past the Dominican Republic and Haiti and battered the Turks and Caicos Islands early Friday with waves as high as 20 feet (6 meters).
Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun Sentinel via The Associated PressA homeowner in Dania Beach, Fla., has a stern warning painted on his boarded up window Friday, Sept. 7, 2017, ahead of Hurricane Irma.
Anika E. Kentish, The Associated PressIn this Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, photo, damage is left after Hurricane Irma hit Barbuda. Hurricane Irma battered the Turks and Caicos Islands early Friday as the fearsome Category 5 storm continued a rampage through the Caribbean that has killed a number of people, with Florida in its sights.
Anp / Gerben Van Es / Netherlands Out / Restricted To Editorial Use - Mandatory Credit "afp Photo / Dutch Defense Ministry/gerben Van Es" - No Marketing No Advertising Campaigns - No Archives - No Sale- Distributed As A Service To Clients Gerben Van Es, AFP/Getty ImagesAn aerial photography taken and released by the Dutch department of Defense on Sept. 6, 2017 shows the damage of Hurricane Irma in Philipsburg, on the Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. Hurricane Irma sowed a trail of deadly devastation through the Caribbean on Wednesday, reducing to rubble the tropical islands of Barbuda and St Martin.
Jonathan Falwell via The Associated PressThis Sept. 6, 2017 photo shows storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in St. Martin. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, leaving thousands homeless after destroying buildings and uprooting trees. Significant damage was reported on the island known as St. Martin in English which is divided between French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA photo taken on Sept. 6, 2017 shows broken palm trees on the beach of the Hotel Mercure in Marigot, near the Bay of Nettle, on the French Collectivity of Saint Martin, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. France, the Netherlands and Britain on September 7 sent water, emergency rations and rescue teams to their stricken territories in the Caribbean hit by Hurricane Irma, which has killed at least 10 people. The worst-affected island so far is Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, where eight of the 10 confirmed deaths took place.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesA woman pulls a travel case on a rock scattered road in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 7, 2017. One of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, the rare Category 5 hurricane churned westward off the northern coast of Puerto Rico early Thursday on a potential collision course with south Florida, where at-risk areas were evacuated.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA photo taken on Sept. 7, 2017 shows ships wrecked ashore, in Marigot, near the Bay of Nettle, on the island of Saint-Martin in the northeast Caribbean, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. France, the Netherlands and Britain on September 7 sent water, emergency rations and rescue teams to their stricken territories in the Caribbean hit by Hurricane Irma, which has killed at least 10 people. The worst-affected island so far is Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, where eight of the 10 confirmed deaths took place.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA photo taken on Sept. 6, 2017 shows the Hotel Mercure in Marigot, near the Bay of Nettle, on the French Collectivity of Saint Martin, during the passage of Hurricane Irma. France, the Netherlands and Britain on September 7 sent water, emergency rations and rescue teams to their stricken territories in the Caribbean hit by Hurricane Irma, which has killed at least 10 people. The worst-affected island so far is Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, where eight of the 10 confirmed deaths took place.
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesThe Desir family wait next to their house as they prepare to go to a shelter to await the arrival of Hurricane Irma, in Cap-Haitien, on Sept. 7, 2017. Irma was expected to hit the northern edges of the Dominican Republic and Haiti later Thursday, continuing past eastern Cuba before veering north towards Florida.
Lionel Chamoiseau, AFP/Getty ImagesA photo taken on Sept. 6, 2017 shows cars piled on top of one another in Marigot, near the Bay of Nettle, on the French Collectivity of Saint Martin, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. France, the Netherlands and Britain on September 7 sent water, emergency rations and rescue teams to their stricken territories in the Caribbean hit by Hurricane Irma, which has killed at least 10 people. The worst-affected island so far is Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, where eight of the 10 confirmed deaths took place.
AFP Photos/Dutch Defense Ministry/Gerben Van EsAn aerial photograph taken and released by the Dutch Department of Defense on Sept. 6, 2017 shows the damage of Hurricane Irma, on the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Maarten.
Tatiana Fernandez, The Associated PressA home is surrounded by debris brought in by Hurricane Irma in Nagua, Dominican Republic, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, leaving thousands homeless after destroying buildings and uprooting trees. Irma flooded parts of the Dominican Republic when it roared by Thursday, just off the northern coast of the island it shares with Haiti.
Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressTyrone Tomlinson, 27, of Orlando, uses a family wheelchair to ferry sandbags to be used on the front porch of their family home in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, as residents prepare for Hurricane Irma. Long lines of vehicles waited for hours to get a 10 sand bag limit at the City of Orlando Public Works.
Marta Lavandier, The Associated PressMax Garcia, of Miami, waits in a line since dawn to purchase plywood sheets at The Home Depot store in North Miami, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Florida residents are preparing for the possible landfall of Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history.
Al Diaz, Miami Herald via The Associated PressTraffic is seen heading North along the Florida Turnpike near Homestead, Fla., as tourists in the Florida Keys leave town on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Heavy rain and 185-mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico's northeast coast Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)
Rinsy Zieng, AFP/Getty ImagesA handout grab image made from a video released on Sept. 6, 2017 by RCI Guadeloupe shows flooded streets and damage on the French overseas island of Saint-Martin, filmed from a terrace of the Beach Plaza hotel after high winds from Hurricane Irma hit the island. Monster Hurricane Irma slammed into Caribbean islands today after making landfall in Barbuda, packing ferocious winds and causing major flooding in low-lying areas. As the rare Category Five storm barreled its way across the Caribbean, it brought gusting winds of up to 185 miles per hour , weather experts said.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesA sign in a business reads, 'Go Home Irma Youre Drunk,' as people prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irma on Sept. 6, 2017 in Miami, Florida. It's still too early to know where the direct impact of the hurricane will take place but the state of Florida is in the area of possible landfall.
Carlos Giusti, The Associated PressJoshua Alicea, rescue staff member from the Municipal Emergency Management Agency removes a fallen tree while touring the streets of the Matelnillo community searching for citizens in distress during the passage of Hurricane Irma through the northeastern part of the island in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. The US territory was first to declare a state of emergency las Monday, as the National Hurricane Center forecast that the storm would strike the Island Wednesday.
Emily Michot, Miami Herald via The Associated PressA gas station has their windows boarded as gas was still flowing at the station on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 in Miami. Heavy rain and 185-mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico's northeast coast Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida.
Rinsy Zieng, AFP/Getty ImagesA handout picture released on Sept. 6, 2017 on the twitter accound of RCI Guadeloupe shows a flooded street on the French overseas island of Saint-Martin, after high winds from Hurricane Irma hit the island. Monster Hurricane Irma slammed into Caribbean islands today after making landfall in Barbuda, packing ferocious winds and causing major flooding in low-lying areas. As the rare Category Five storm barreled its way across the Caribbean, it brought gusting winds of up to 185 miles per hour , weather experts said.
Michele Eve Sandberg, AFP/Getty ImagesEmpty shelves are seen as people make Hurricane Irma preparations at a Winn Dixie store in South Florida on Sept. 6, 2017 in Hallandale, Florida. Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, cut a deadly swath through a string of small Caribbean islands on Wednesday and was on a collision course with Puerto Rico and potentially south Florida.
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesA man watches while a bulldozer clean debris in a canal, in Cap-Haitien, on Sept. 6, 2017, 240 km from Port-au-Prince, as preparatives before the arrival of Hurricane Irma. Some people in Cap-Haitien still do not have information on the arrival of Hurricane Irma and many others do not know what to do or where to go to take shelter.
Jose Jimenez, Getty ImagesA street is flooded during the passing of Hurricane Irma on Sept. 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The category 5 storm is expected to pass over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands today, and make landfall in Florida by the weekend.
Marc Serota, Getty ImagesThree men install hurricane shutters at the Made 2 Order Restuarant in Islamorada, Florida on Sept. 6, 2017. The storm has grown to a category 5 and is expected to make landfall in the Florida Keys this weekend.
Mark Wilson, Getty ImagesA concessioner worker realizes he loading too many lounge chairs on his cart during preparations for approaching Hurricane Irma on Sept. 6, 2016 in Miami Beach, Florida. Current tracks for Hurricane Irma shows that it could hit south Florida this weekend.
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressDrivers wait in line for gasoline in Altamonte Springs, Fla., ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irma, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Irma roared into the Caribbean with record force early Wednesday, its 185-mph winds shaking homes and flooding buildings on a chain of small islands along a path toward Puerto Rico, Cuba and Hispaniola and a possible direct hit on densely populated South Florida.
Carlos Giusti, The Associated PressA man drives through rain and strong winds during the passage of hurricane Irma, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. The US territory was first to declare a state of emergency las Monday, as the National Hurricane Center forecast that the storm would strike the Island Wednesday.
Johnny Jno-Baptiste, The Associated PressA man surveys the wreckage on his property after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Heavy rain and 185-mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico's northeast coast as Irma, the strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever measured, roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida.
Helene Valenzuela, AFP/Getty ImagesPassengers wait to check in at the departures terminal of the Pole Caraibes international airport in Pointe-a-Pitre, which re-opened on Sept. 6, 2017, after hurricane Irma hit the island. Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, cut a deadly swath through a string of small Caribbean islands on Wednesday and was on a collision course with Puerto Rico and potentially south Florida.
Yanelis Gomez pushes her cart after shopping at a local supermarket as she prepares for Hurricane Irma, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, in Hialeah, Fla. Hurricane Irma grew into a dangerous Category 5 storm, the most powerful seen in the Atlantic in over a decade, and roared toward islands in the northeast Caribbean Tuesday on a path that could eventually take it to the United States.
NOAA via APIn this GOES-East satellite image taken Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017 at 3:45 p.m. EDT, and released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Irma, a potentially catastrophic category 5 hurricane, moves westward in the Atlantic Ocean toward the Leeward Islands. Hurricane Irma grew into a dangerous Category 5 storm, the most powerful seen in the Atlantic in over a decade, and roared toward islands in the northeast Caribbean Tuesday on a path that could eventually take it to the United States.
Lara Cerri, Tampa Bay Times via APJoseph, Jr., right, 15, of St. Petersburg, bends down to carry sandbags to his family's vehicle at Lealman Community Park, in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, as residents prepare for Hurricane Irma.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesPeople line up to get their propane tanks filled as they prepare for Hurricane Irma on Sept. 5, 2017 in Miami, Florida. It's still too early to know where the direct impact of the hurricane will take place but the state of Florida is in the area of possible landfall.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesWorkers from a hardware store secure plywoods on top of a car as hurricane Irma approaches Puerto Rico in Bayamon, on Sept. 5, 2017. In Puerto Rico, a US territory of 3.5 million, Governor Ricardo Rossello activated the National Guard and announced the opening of storm shelters able to house up to 62,000 people. The major of the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto, ordered 900 municipal employees -- police, emergency personnel, and aid and social workers -- to report for rotating 12-hour shifts.Even if Puerto Rico is spared a direct hit, the mayor said, three days of pounding rain will do heavy damage.
Carlos Giusti, The Associated PressCyber School Supply Christopher Rodriguez is supported as he installs wood panels over a storefront window in preparation for Hurricane Irma, in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. Irma grew into a dangerous Category 5 storm, the most powerful seen in the Atlantic in over a decade, and roared toward islands in the northeast Caribbean Tuesday.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesIslata Marina cay is seen as hurricane Irma approaches Puerto Rico in Fajardo, on Sept. 5, 2017. In Puerto Rico, a US territory of 3.5 million, Governor Ricardo Rossello activated the National Guard and announced the opening of storm shelters able to house up to 62,000 people. The major of the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto, ordered 900 municipal employees -- police, emergency personnel, and aid and social workers -- to report for rotating 12-hour shifts.Even if Puerto Rico is spared a direct hit, the mayor said, three days of pounding rain will do heavy damage.
Ricardo Arduengo, AFP/Getty ImagesBoats are seen docked at a marina as hurricane Irma approaches Puerto Rico in Fajardo, on Sept. 5, 2017. In Puerto Rico, a US territory of 3.5 million, Governor Ricardo Rossello activated the National Guard and announced the opening of storm shelters able to house up to 62,000 people. The major of the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto, ordered 900 municipal employees -- police, emergency personnel, and aid and social workers -- to report for rotating 12-hour shifts.Even if Puerto Rico is spared a direct hit, the mayor said, three days of pounding rain will do heavy damage.
Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP
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The winds and sea are whipped up off of the Rickenbacker Causeway as two people cross the street in Miami as Hurricane Irma approaches on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
ExpandA Tampa Electric power outage map showed 2,012 customers without power at 10:30 a.m. mountain time when the storm was moving on the southwest Florida coast on Sunday.
According to ABC News, Irma has killed three in the state, and left more than 1 million households and businesses without power.
Colorado is sending 62 lineman, three managers, two safety coordinators and four mechanics. In addition, 28 contractors from Colorado also have left or are heading to the hurricane area. They are expected to reach Tampa by Wednesday morning.
Xcel and other utilities throughout the country have mutual aid programs to provide help in disaster and emergency situations.
