When severe weather strikes, utility operations depend on precision meteorological data to protect infrastructure, deploy crews safely, and restore power to communities faster than ever before.
In the utility industry, weather isn’t just a topic for small talk—it is the heartbeat of our operations. Today, on World Meteorological Day, we are proud to go behind the scenes with our very own Superintendent, Mike French.
Mike’s journey to Vision Utilities wasn't just about learning the trade; it was about a lifelong obsession with the atmosphere and a harrowing experience at sea that changed everything.
Mike's journey began as a child, drawing hurricane tracking maps with his cousin, who now works in the operations center at PSEG Long Island. Some may not know this, but before Mike French became a Superintendent, he followed his passion to study meteorology.
"The power of Mother Nature always intrigued me... now I use that intrigue to keep our crews safe and our responses sharp." — Mike French, Superintendent
Q: What first sparked your desire to study meteorology?
Mike: "Ever since I was a child, I’ve had an unusual obsession with the weather. My cousin—who now works in operations at PSEG Long Island—and I were total weather geeks. We used to draw our own hurricane maps and compete to see who could accurately predict landfall. We’d drive our families crazy whenever a blizzard or a severe thunderstorm watch was approaching.
But that obsession hit a new level when I was 20 years old. Serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, we were sent on a search-and-rescue mission on August 18, 1991, just ahead of the encroaching Category 3 Hurricane Bob. We completed the mission but missed our window to get inland. The railroad bridges were closed, and marine traffic was halted.
We were forced to ride out the hurricane in the open waters of the Long Island Sound. For six hours, we faced 100-knot winds and 20-to-30-foot swells. Not a single dish or glass on the ship survived, but thankfully, my crew did. That sheer force of Mother Nature was something I’ll never forget. I needed to know what made those storms tick, so after my service, I enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University to study Earth Science with a concentration in meteorology."
Q: How did your background in weather impact your decision to become a lineman?
Mike: "Life has a way of shifting your path. After my second daughter was born, I had to choose between continuing my formal education or supporting my family. I decided family came first and took an opportunity to join a lineman apprenticeship.
I didn't know much about the trade at first, but I stumbled into a brotherhood. As I started being sent on storm calls as an apprentice and then a journeyman, I realized I had found a way to 'chase' monster storms while building a fantastic career. It was a happy accident—I get the best of both worlds. I can take care of my family while applying my meteorology knowledge to benefit our crews in the field."
Predictive meteorology allows Vision Utilities to move from reactive to proactive storm response. By analyzing storm intensification rates, projected paths, and potential impacts 48-72 hours in advance, leadership can pre-position crews in strategic locations, secure necessary equipment, and coordinate with utility partners to ensure the fastest possible restoration times. This forecasting capability directly addresses one of the utility industry's most pressing challenges: reducing outage duration and restoring power to communities faster after severe weather events.
Q: How do you utilize those specific meteorological skills today at Vision Utilities?
Mike: "Behind the scenes, Vision’s owner, Gladys Salazar, and I are in constant communication about incoming weather. We make many of our logistics and pre-staging moves based on location data and model trends for impending storms.
Whether it’s moving equipment to a specific yard or deciding to fly our crews in early, accuracy is everything. There is a lot of money and, more importantly, the safety of our teams at stake. Occasionally, a strategy doesn’t work, but most of the time, we make the right call because we understand the science behind the storm."
During active storm restoration, meteorological expertise becomes a critical safety tool. Mike's ability to monitor real-time weather conditions—tracking lightning activity, wind speed fluctuations, and approaching squall lines—protects crews working in elevated positions or near energized equipment. Understanding when conditions will temporarily improve allows supervisors to maximize productive work windows while knowing when to suspend operations keeps personnel safe during dangerous weather.
The utility industry faces unique weather-related safety challenges. Linemen working at height are vulnerable to sudden wind gusts, lightning strikes, and rapidly changing conditions. Equipment operators must navigate flooded areas, downed trees, and unstable ground conditions. Real-time meteorological monitoring provides the situational awareness necessary to make split-second decisions that protect both personnel and the communities they serve.
Vision Utilities' approach to meteorology extends beyond individual expertise—it's about building a weather-ready culture across the entire organization. When leadership demonstrates deep respect for atmospheric conditions and makes weather intelligence central to operational planning, that awareness cascades throughout crews, logistics teams, and partner organizations. Everyone from equipment operators to safety coordinators benefits from enhanced weather situational awareness.
On World Meteorological Day, we recognize that the science of meteorology powers more than forecasts—it protects lives, strengthens infrastructure resilience, and enables the rapid restoration of essential services. By integrating weather intelligence into every aspect of storm operations, Vision Utilities continues to set new standards for safe, efficient, and community-focused utility restoration services.