Tampa Electric is sending crews to Grand Bahama Island Friday to help restore power still out after Hurricane Matthew.

  • Crews going to Grand Bahama Island to assist with power outages
  • About 100 percent of the island lost power
  • Crews will be there for 2 weeks

About 100 percent of the island lost power when the Category 4 hurricane slammed into the island on Oct. 6. 

Multiple lineman from the Bay area utility company are headed by boat to the island. Also, crews will take three trucks, which are being ferried to Grand Bahama Island. 

TECO officials said some of the damage on the island is so severe that in some areas, crews are rebuilding entire electrical systems from the ground up. 

Although there were no deaths associated with Matthew in the Bahamas, there was an estimated $400 million in damage caused by winds of about 140 mph.

"Everybody is getting along, we're trying to do the best we can, these people have been devastated," said TECO lineman Skipper Flowers. "Their whole lives have been upset and destroyed, we're just trying to help them out. 

"Most of the time, the people there are just happy to see us." 

The TECO crews are relieving linemen that have already been on the island. The TECO crews will remain in Grand Bahama for two weeks.