SAN ANTONIO – A group of CPS Energy workers headed to Florida on Friday morning to volunteer their expertise and help get power back on the grid caused by Hurricane Matthew.
Fifty-four workers met around 5:30 a.m. at the Eastside CPS Energy depot to leave for Orlando, Florida.
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The men said they understand what awaits them.
"From clothing, lodging, food, what's it going to be like when you get there -- you really don't know," said William Schneider, a 25-year CPS Energy veteran and journeyman lineman.
Schneider said the trip will be the fourth time he's helped provide post-hurricane relief. He's helped after Hurricane Dolly hit Brownsville, Hurricane Ike hit Houston, and Hurricane Jeanine in Lafayette, Louisiana.
"(It's) heavy on the heart to see the devastation, and what they're going through, and knowing they have to rebuild," Schneider said.
Providing food-to-go and instructions, linemen, pole crews, construction and fleet workers volunteered for the two-day, 1,155-mile trip to Orlando to help repair utter devastation.
The men's dozen bucket trucks and equipment will keep them busy.
CPS Energy team leaders said the team could be in Florida for more than two weeks.
The workers' families are patiently waiting for them to return.
"Happy and sad," Mia Rubio, 7, said she feels about her dad leaving. Her father, Reynaldo Rubio, is a 15-year CPS Energy veteran and a current distribution trainee.
"The only thing I have to stand on is my faith," Reynaldo's wife, Eva, said as she and Mia stood in the parking lot after he pulled away.
Before leaving, the men said a prayer.
"Father, we're going to get up there and see some things that's going to be mind-boggling," CPS Energy worker Fredrick Green said. "We want to ask for traveling grace and arriving mercy."