Widespread Restoration Effort Gains Momentum as Wiregrass Electric Cooperative Rebuilds Following Hurricane Isaias

HARTFORD, Alabama — With mutual aid crews from across the country working alongside Wiregrass
Electric Cooperative employees and contractors, Hurricane Isaias restoration efforts have reached a
major milestone. The cooperative has reduced outages from approximately 18,000 at the height of the
storm to 517 as of late Monday afternoon, restoring power to most affected members despite extensive
damage across its service territory.

The dramatic reduction in outages reflects days of coordinated restoration work, including replacing
damaged poles, repairing downed power lines and rebuilding sections of the electric system. While
significant progress has been made, WEC remains focused on restoring service to every member still
affected by the storm.

“This is a tremendous milestone for our cooperative and the communities we serve,” said Brad Kimbro,
chief executive officer of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. “Our crews and the many teams assisting us
have accomplished an incredible amount of work in a short period of time. But our job is not finished
until every member who can safely receive power has their lights back on. We will continue working
with that same determination until restoration is complete.”

The restoration effort has brought together electric cooperative crews from multiple states. These crews
have joined WEC employees, contractors and right-of-way personnel in addressing extensive storm
damage throughout southeast Alabama.

Mutual aid crews have been instrumental in replacing damaged poles, repairing power lines and
restoring critical infrastructure. Recent work has included pole replacements along Community Road in
Dothan and repairs along Old Chipley Road in Fadette, illustrating the extensive rebuilding efforts
taking place throughout the cooperative's service territory.

Behind the scenes, a coordinated logistical operation continues supporting crews in the field. WEC's
Energy Control Center has directed personnel and equipment to areas where they are needed most, while
employees at the cooperative's headquarters have worked to keep trucks supplied with the equipment
and materials necessary for repairs.

The National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds has served as a staging area for crews preparing to deploy
throughout the service territory. MLU Services has also supported the operation by establishing a base
camp to accommodate additional personnel assisting with recovery efforts.

“Restoring power after a storm of this magnitude takes much more than repairing lines,” Kimbro said.
“It requires careful coordination, dependable resources and people willing to step up wherever they are
needed. From our linemen and mutual aid crews to the employees coordinating supplies, dispatching
crews and supporting operations, every person involved has played an important role in getting us to this
point.”

Although outages have declined significantly, WEC emphasizes that restoration efforts remain active
throughout the system. Some remaining outages may require additional repairs to damaged poles, lines
or equipment before service can be safely restored.

Kimbro also expressed appreciation for the electric cooperatives that answered the call for assistance
and the continued encouragement from WEC members.

“One of the greatest strengths of the electric cooperative network is that we come together when our
communities need us most,” Kimbro said. “We are incredibly grateful for the crews who traveled from
other states to help our members and for the patience, encouragement and prayers we have received
throughout the Wiregrass. We have made tremendous progress together, and we will continue working
until every member who can safely receive power has their lights back on.”

WEC reminds members that safety remains a priority throughout the restoration process. Members
should stay away from downed power lines and damaged electrical equipment and should never attempt
to remove trees or debris tangled in power lines.

Members can report outages by calling WEC's 24-hour outage hotline at 1-888-469-6882. Members can
also monitor outages throughout the service territory using WEC's interactive outage map at
https://outage.wiregrass.coop/.

Members are encouraged to follow Wiregrass Electric Cooperative's official social media channels
and visit wiregrass.coop for the latest outage and restoration updates.

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is an electric distribution system located in southeast Alabama with more
than 3,300 miles of power lines providing reliable and affordable electricity and energy solutions to
27,565 homes and businesses in Houston, Geneva, Covington, Dale, Henry and Coffee counties. For
more information, visit our website at www.wiregrass.coop.