Tampa Electric deploying helicopters to survey powerlines

People in the Tampa Bay region will need to be on the lookout for low-flying helicopters next week.

That’s because starting May 27, six days before the June 1 start of hurricane season, Tampa Electric Co. will send out the aircraft for an aerial survey of its high-voltage power lines in the area.

The company says crews will be flying during daylight hours until about June 2 (weather permitting). They will use traditional cameras and infrared technology to look at the entire 1,300-mile system of transmission lines.