Out of state utility workers already on scene in Wilmington for Matthew

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Gregory School of Math, Science and Technology is a staging area for out of state utlity workers on-call for Hurricane Matthew.

More than thirty trucks from Duke Energy and Sumter Utilities were parked at the school on Ann Street between 10th and 13th in Wilmington.

Power lines and trees are already down as a result of the early high winds and rain fall throughout the area, making the need for workers at the ready that much more important.

Sumter Utilities workers, like Class A linesman Chuck Gibbs , are coming in from Asheville to help with the effort.

“We brought down about four or five crews from Asheville and we’ve got about five more crews coming down today through the storm. So hopefully they’ll get here but they should be here before the storm hits.” said Gibbs.

Gibbs said that for their safety, the workers are in wait and see mode at this time and will not be able to do too much when Matthew hits.