In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, two Duke Energy lineworkers, Matt Martinka and Nathan Curlee, found themselves on a mission to restore power to a vital facility in hard-hit western North Carolina: the Asheville VA Medical Center.
But getting to the lines that were down wasn’t as simple as driving straight to them. Hurricane Helene, which had destroyed the area, made the path to the VA medical center not an easy place to reach.
The duo, facing washed-out roads and downed trees, hiked 1.5 miles through rugged terrain to set up a temporary power line for the VA hospital, which had been left without electricity in the wake of the storm. Martinka, a former Air Force member with deep military ties, recalled hearing about the opportunity to help in the office. “I said, ‘Hey, I want this.’ I told my apprentice, ‘Let’s get this on for the VA,’” he said.
The lineworkers’ determination carried them through the difficult trek. Martinka described how the flooding made it almost impossible to find a way into the area. “Up and down [the] terrain, I was covered with bushes to our chest. And then when we finally [got to] a flat, it was the washed-out area from the floods. So every step, you’re almost losing your boots in the mud,” he explained.
A Duke Energy worker makes his way through hurricane debris to reach a veteran’s medical center. Photo courtesy of Duke Energy
When they finally reached the hospital, they were able to climb a pole, despite their mud-caked boots, to disconnect a span and make the line safe to energize. “It was all worth it to get to the VA,” Martinka added.
Curlee echoed his mentor’s sentiments, expressing pride in what they were able to accomplish. “I feel like we in our own way gave back,” he said. “Them guys [veterans] have given so much. So in our own way, we gave it back to them.”
The video struck a chord with many, showing the lengths people go to help their communities in times of need. In a statement, a Duke Energy spokesperson praised the two lineworkers for stepping up during such a critical moment. “We are proud of Matt and Nathan for raising their hands to take on the important challenge of restoring the VA hospital in Asheville,” they said.
A worker talks about the effort to reach the VA medical center. Photo by Duke Energy
As one of the hardest-hit states, North Carolina has faced extraordinary devastation from Hurricane Helene, with ongoing efforts to restore power across the region. The Asheville VA Medical Center was just one of many facilities impacted, but thanks to the dedication of Martinka and Curlee, it was able to receive much-needed electricity.
“I feel like helping people is what we do,” Martinka said. And for the veterans at the Asheville VA, that help came just when they needed it most.
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Sources: People | Southern Living
