Tennessee co-ops assist with Hurricane Zeta recovery

Nashville, TENN. – More than 130 employees from 15 electric co-ops in Tennessee are assisting with power restoration efforts after Hurricane Zeta left more than 2.6 million without power in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. Zeta came ashore Wednesday as a strong Category 2 hurricane before bringing heavy rains and winds across the southeast.

“Unfortunately, this was not our first hurricane this year,” said David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. Crews from Tennessee also assisted following Hurricanes Laura and Sally earlier this fall. “Those who volunteer know what they are signing up for – long days and difficult conditions – but they still want to go. Their desire to assist others in need is inspiring, and we ask all Tennesseans to remember them in your thoughts and prayers while they are away.”

Statewide trade associations like the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association coordinate mutual aid assistance for co-ops in their respective states. When a state determines that it needs assistance, requests are made to surrounding states. The statewide organizations in those states work with their local co-ops to organize crews and make arrangements for lodging and food. Working out details ahead of time allows crews to respond quickly when a need arises.

Traveling to Georgia are

• eight lineworkers from Fayetteville Public Utilities assisting Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation in Jasper
• nine lineworkers from Holston Electric Cooperative in Rogersville assisting Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation in Jasper
• five lineworkers from Plateau Electric Cooperative in Onieda assisting Habersham Electric Membership Corporation in Clarkesville
• 20 lineworkers from Middle Tennessee Electric in Murfreesboro assisting Cobb Electric Membership Corporation in Marietta
• six lineworkers from Duck River Electric Membership Corporation in Shelbyville assisting North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation in Dalton
• six lineworkers from Ft. Loudoun Electric Cooperative in Vonore assisting Tri-State Electric Membership Corporation in Blue Ridge
• six lineworkers from Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in South Pittsburg assisting Tri-State Electric Membership Corporation in Blue Ridge
• 12 lineworkers from Volunteer Energy Cooperative in Dacatur assisting Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation in Jasper
• nine lineworkers from Mountain Electric Cooperative in Mountain City assisting Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation in Young Harris

Traveling to Alabama are

• 10 lineworkers from Chickasaw Electric Cooperative in Somerville assisting Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative in Talladega
• five lineworkers from Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative in Centerville assisting Southern Pine Electric Cooperative in Brewton
• 19 lineworkers from Cumberland  Electric Membership Cooperative in Clarksville assisting Pioneer Electric Cooperative in Greenville
• five lineworkers from Pickwick Electric Cooperative assisting Southern Pine Electric Cooperative in Brewton
• nine lineworkers from Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Cooperative in Cookeville assisting Black Warrior Electric Membership Corporation in Demopolis

Traveling to North Carolina are

• nine lineworkers from Powell Valley Electric Cooperative in New Tazewell assisting Energy United in Statesville