From Oklahoma To Georgia: Electric Cooperatives Unite In Response To Hurricane Helene Damage

Five electric cooperatives in Oklahoma sent more than 30 lineworkers to assist their sister co-ops in Georgia with power restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene.

In the spirit of cooperation among cooperatives, they join more than 6,400 co-op personnel working to restore power from unprecedented damage. Crews from the following electric cooperatives have dispatched mutual aid:

1. Lake Region Electric Cooperative, Hulbert, Okla. – assisted Snapping Shoals EMC, Covington-GA then moved to assist Jefferson Energy Cooperative, Wrens, GA
2. Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative, Collinsville, Okla. – assisted Snapping Shoals EMC, Covington-GA then moved to assist Jefferson Energy Cooperative, Wrens, GA
3. Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative, Seminole, Okla. – assisting Jefferson Energy Cooperative, Wrens, GA
4. Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Vinita, Okla. – assisting Jefferson Energy Cooperative, Wrens, GA
5. People’s Electric Cooperative, Ada, Okla. – assisting Jefferson Energy Cooperative, Wrens, GA

Helene made landfall late on Sept. 26 at Category 4. At least 131 people across several states were killed by Helene, according to CBS News. Buncombe County, North Carolina, alone reported at least 40 deaths, including a 7-year-old who was swept away by floodwaters with his grandparents.

Related Story: Here's How Hurricane Helene Brought 'Biblical Devastation' To Western North Carolina

The National Hurricane Center said wind speeds reached 140 mph and hit the Southeast with intense rain and flooding.

The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) said this is expected to be a multi-week restoration effort due to the extreme flooding and impassable roads. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our sister cooperatives in all states on the path of the destructive Hurricane Helene,” Chris Meyers, general manager of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, said. “We commend our lineworkers for selflessly leaving their homes to help our neighbors in Georgia. We pray for their safe journey and safe restoration efforts.”

The OAEC is a statewide association comprised of 30 member systems: 27 distribution electric cooperatives (two of which are headquartered in Arkansas) and 3 generation & transmission electric cooperatives (one of which is headquartered in Texas).

Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Outage Map