Federal assistance included flying in 300 electric utility workers, and trucks and equipment from Public Service of New Hampshire, Public Service of Connecticut, Long Island Electric, Niagara Mohawk Electric, and Duke Engineering and Services. These workers assisted local crews in repairing the island s transmission and distribution lines and in restoring electrical service. The Agencies identified a number of mitigation improvements that will yield a transmission and distribution system that is more hurricane resistant. Many of the damaged wood poles were pulled out of the ground by the hurricane. The minimum hole depth for poles should be 10 percent of the pole s length plus 2 feet.
Rectangular poles are subject to much heavier wind loading.