Hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters strike with little warning, impacting millions and leaving behind damaged infrastructure that’s critical to everyday life. In the aftermath, utility workers are often the first responders—restoring power, fixing gas and water lines, and ensuring communities can begin to recover. Their work is not only essential but also dangerous, making proper safety preparation and equipment more vital than ever.

Proper preparation begins with picking the right safety solution.

Start of the Storm: Preparing for the Unknown

Before a disaster even hits, crews begin mobilizing. Utility workers are trained to respond rapidly, often preparing to enter areas that may be without power, flooded, blocked by debris, or otherwise hazardous. The unpredictable nature of disasters means responders may face extreme isolation, communication blackouts, and rapidly shifting environments.

Safety gear plays a pivotal role—not just standard tools like ropes, ladders, and harnesses, but advanced wearable safety technology.

Assessment and Damage Control

The full extent of damage from natural disasters is often unclear until boots are on the ground. Downed power lines, collapsed poles, ruptured water mains, and submerged gas infrastructure all pose serious risks to workers.

Downed power lines can cause electrical hazards to hide in plain sight.

After Hurricane Helene in late 2024, more than 20,000 utility workers were deployed across Georgia to restore service to nearly 2 million customers—many working 16-hour shifts amid unstable terrain and dangerous conditions.

Gas utility teams are particularly vulnerable. The U.S. Department of Energy projects that 1 in every 650 natural gas customers will be affected by storm-related outages or leaks in the coming year. Downed power lines are often in the same area as gas lines, so workers must rely on safety solutions like COMPASS Pro, to prevent accidents and enable faster, safer repairs.

All Hands on Deck: Working in Unfamiliar Territory

Disaster response often involves mutual aid, with workers traveling across the country—or even the globe—to assist. While these professionals bring critical expertise, they may be unfamiliar with local terrain, infrastructure layouts, or climate-specific hazards.

Enhanced Location Awareness can help Mutual aid crews coordinate in unfamiliar terrain.

Conclusion: Safety First, Every Step of the Way

Natural disasters will continue to challenge communities and the utility workers who support them. But as these responders rush in, ensuring their safety is non-negotiable. With advanced tools like COMPASS Pro, utility teams can stay connected in isolated or dangerous zones, detect environmental hazards before they become life-threatening, and alert emergency teams the moment something goes wrong.