Tucker, Georgia: The number of Electric Membership Corporation (EMC)
employees headed to the eastern seaboard to assist following Storm Sandy
continues to rise, as cooperatives in the region continue preparations in
anticipation of the storm.
Approximately 130 employees from 16 EMCs in Georgia began
leaving Saturday and Sunday, while others will be heading out Monday and
Tuesday for the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. There, they will help restore
power to thousands of customers who are expected to be without electricity
following the Storm.
"Going up before Sandy makes landfall gives our crews
the opportunity to work closely with the local electric cooperative to review
road maps, scope critical locations and familiarize themselves with the
electric distribution systems in these areas," says Georgia EMC Training,
Safety and Education Vice President Jim Wright.
"When the storm moves through, everyone will be in
position and can immediately begin restoration work."
Since the Storm is expected to produce destructive winds and
heavy rainfall, Wright anticipates the work for Georgia EMC linemen will likely
involve clearing trees from roadways and power lines, replacing broken poles,
stringing new wire and repairing individual service.
Georgia line crews are expected to stay approximately one to
two weeks but will remain in the region for as long as necessary.
Electric cooperative crews in Georgia are some of the most
skilled and knowledgeable in the industry and have extensive experience working
in storm conditions in South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia and Florida.
To date, crews have been sent or will be sent from Altamaha
EMC in Lyons, Carroll EMC in Carrollton, Central Georgia EMC in Jackson,
Diverse Power in Lagrange, Flint Energies in Reynolds, Hart EMC in Hartwell,
Irwin EMC in Ocilla, Jackson EMC in Jefferson, Jefferson Energy in Wrens,
Middle Georgia EMC in Vienna, Mitchell EMC in Camilla, Snapping Shoals EMC in
Covington, Southern Rivers in Barnesville, Tri-County EMC in Gray, Walton EMC
in Monroe and Washington EMC in Sandersville.
Wright says EMCs may send additional workers and equipment
after the Storm moves through and the local electric cooperatives survey the
distribution system and complete their damage assessments.
The crews, trucks and equipment are being coordinated by
Georgia EMC, the statewide association, which works from an emergency plan that
coordinates crews during emergencies such as ice storms, tornadoes and
hurricanes.