Co-ops working to repair winter storm damage

Nashville, TENN. – Electric cooperatives across Tennessee continue to assess damage to their power grids following a significant icing event on Monday, Feb. 15. More than 20,000 co-op consumers remain without power Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 16. Crews from Tennessee co-ops and neighboring states are assisting in the recovery.

“The dangerously cold weather makes this a serious situation, and co-ops are doing everything they can to get power restored to everyone as quickly as possible,” says David Callis, executive vice president of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “Damage from ice is widespread, and that will make restoration a slow process. Homeowners should be prepared for extended outages and take appropriate precautions. We commend the co-op crews who are battling these brutal conditions to serve their communities.”

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation in Carthage reports that more than 13,000 of their 51,000 consumers remain without power. The co-op is being assisted by

• Eight lineworkers from Appalachian Electric Cooperative in New Market
• Four lineworkers from Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative in Vonore
• Four lineworkers from Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation in Lafayette
• Five lineworkers from Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation in Young Harris, Ga.

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation in Shelbyville reports that 6,900 of their 77,000 consumers remain without power. The co-op is being assisted by

• Ten lineworkers from Middle Tennessee Electric in Murfreesboro
• Ten lineworkers from Holston Electric Cooperative in Rogersville
• Six lineworkers from Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in South Pittsburg
• Six lineworkers from Covington Electric Cooperative in Andalusia, Al.
• Seven lineworkers from Marshall Dekalb Electric Cooperative in Boaz, Al.
• Four lineworkers from Wiregrass Electric Cooperative in Hartford, Al.

Photo by Mike Partin, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative