The Dayton Power and Light company this weekend sent more than 100 employees to Florida in preparation for damage that could be done by Tropical Storm Isaac.

It’s the flip side of the position DP&L found itself in earlier this summer when other utility companies sent manpower to the Miami Valley after a powerful wind storm swept through the area in June.

The DP&L crews – 32 line technicians and 75 tree trimmers – were sent to Florida on Saturday morning, said Bruce Coppock, DP&L’s director of operations. The employees represent about 10 percent of the company’s line resources. Coppock said DP&L will still have plenty of manpower if storms cross the Miami Valley in the next few days.

Light rain is expected Monday, according to Storm Center 7 predictions.

“We’re going to take care of home first,” Coppock said. “We understand there’s a potential for (damaging) weather into Tuesday. Once we get through that, we’ll do a check and maybe send a second wave of resources to Florida.”

Tropical Storm Isaac could become a dangerous Category 2 hurricane by the time it hits land over the northern Gulf Coast sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday, according to reports. Tampa is expected to feel the brunt of the storm. The forecast caused officials to postpone today’s Republican National Convention activities.

“Attendance at this point has been spotty and plans have been canceled and some people have rearranged their travel (because) of concerns with the weather,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, who arrived in Tampa on Sunday to attend the convention.

“People are (still) very excited and they’re not letting this weather dampen their excitement in any way,” he said.

DP&L crews may shift their position depending on Isaac’s path, Coppock said.

“It’s certainly possible the resources we’re sending down to Florida could move a little west down the coast as Isaac begins to turn that way,” he said.

Coppock said requesting utility companies foot the bill for services. DP&L was in that position when it requested aid for the cleanup after the massive wind storm on June 29 that resulted in Gov. John Kasich declaring a state of emergency in Ohio.

Utility line technicians from eight states — including Oklahoma, Georgia, Indiana and Kentucky — traveled to the Miami Valley, Coppock said.

DP&L is a member of two mutual assistance groups. One is the Southeastern Electric Exchange, which is the one affected by Isaac. The other group covers areas such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.

“After Hurricane Ike we joined the Southeastern Electric Exchange, which gives us access, really, to almost 3,000 additional resources,” Coppock said. “From a geographical standpoint, we’ve covered our bases both from the south and east as well as the Midwest.”