Wiregrass Electric Cooperative Dispatched Line Crews to Assist with Hurricane Helene Recovery in Georgia

Six Linemen Sent to Aid in Power Restoration Efforts for Little Ocmulgee Electric Membership Cooperative

In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on parts of Georgia, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative (WEC) has deployed six linemen to assist Little Ocmulgee Electric Membership Cooperative (LOEMC) in restoring power to its members. The storm left widespread outages across Georgia, and with many homes and businesses still in the dark, WEC is proud to offer its support in the cooperative tradition of mutual aid.

"We were fully prepared and had been thinking through the possibility of a direct hit from this storm," said Stevie Sauls, Vice President of Member Services and Communication at Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. "While we are grateful that our service area was spared the worst of it, we know our sister cooperatives just east of us weren't so fortunate. Being ready to act is key, and now we're glad we can extend that readiness to help others who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. This is the true spirit of cooperation among cooperatives."

The WEC team, composed of highly trained and experienced linemen, left for Alamo, Georgia, this afternoon and will work alongside LOEMC crews to help restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Hurricane Helene, which made landfall yesterday, brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and significant flooding, leaving thousands without electricity. LOEMC serves approximately 7,800 members, many of whom are still waiting for power restoration due to widespread damage to infrastructure.

"We are incredibly proud of our team for answering the call," said Sauls. "Our linemen have always demonstrated a commitment to serving others, whether here at home or in neighboring communities. The cooperative model is unique in that we share resources, knowledge, and manpower to ensure that no community is left behind when disaster strikes.”

This isn't the first time Wiregrass Electric Cooperative has provided mutual aid during an emergency. The cooperative regularly participates in storm recovery efforts throughout the Southeast, sending crews to assist in regions affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.

As Hurricane Helene recovery efforts continue, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative will keep its members updated on the progress of the mutual aid mission. In the meantime, WEC encourages everyone in storm-impacted areas to remain safe, avoid downed power lines, and follow local authorities' instructions.

"We’re all in this together," added Sauls. "Whether we're helping our neighbors in Georgia or supporting our members here in Alabama, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative stands committed to the values that make cooperatives special community, service, and resilience.”

For updates on the restoration efforts or to learn more about how Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is helping other
cooperatives in times of need, visit our website or follow us on social media.

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is an electric distribution system located in southeast Alabama with more than 3,500 miles of power lines providing reliable and affordable electricity and energy solutions to approximately 26,000 homes and businesses in Houston, Geneva, Covington, Dale, Henry and Coffee counties. For more information, visit our website.