All hands on deck
Mutual aid crews assist Georgia following Hurricane Helene’s destruction
In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destructive path, Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives once again answered the call for the Cooperative Principle #6, Cooperation Among Cooperatives. After the hurricane left thousands of Georgians without power, Oklahoma’s electric co-ops quickly responded, sending mutual aid crews to help restore essential services to the devastated areas.
Chris Meyers, general manager of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC), emphasized the importance of this collaborative effort.
“When a disaster like Hurricane Helene strikes, we lean on each other. Oklahoma co-ops stand ready to help our neighbors near and far,” Meyers says.
On October 1, 52 highly trained lineworkers and supporting personnel from several Oklahoma co-ops left for Georgia to provide aid. Since then, the total increased to more than 110 personnel. Crews rotate and refresh as needed. The following cooperatives have sent crews:
- Lake Region Electric Cooperative, Hulbert
- Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative, Collinsville
- Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative, Seminole
- Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Vinita
- People’s Electric Cooperative, Ada
- East Central Electric Cooperative, Okmulgee
- Cotton Electric Cooperative, Walters
- Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Stigler
- Kiamichi Electric Cooperative, Wilburton
- TCEC, Hooker
- Choctaw Electric Cooperative, Hugo
- Rural Electric Cooperative, Lindsay
Wade Hurst, OAEC senior loss control specialist, coordinated mutual aid efforts on behalf of the statewide association.
“Oklahoma never backs up when it comes to helping out other states in distress,” Hurst says. “The crews show brotherly commitment in everything they do.”
Equipped with specialized vehicles and equipment, these crews are working alongside other cooperatives in efforts that include removing fallen trees, repairing downed power lines and installing new poles and transformers. The mutual aid deployment is expected to last several weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and weather conditions.
One of the key challenges faced by the Oklahoma teams is the high level of devastation left by the storm. Many of the areas affected by Hurricane Helene are rural, where accessing damaged infrastructure is difficult. Crews are working long shifts in dangerous, unpredictable environments, but their dedication to restoring power as safely and quickly as possible remains steadfast.
OAEC’s Safety & Loss Control Instructor, Jason Brown, spent two weeks in the field at Jefferson Energy Cooperative’s service area assisting with restoration efforts. Brown reported a significant number of fallen trees delayed initial restoration efforts, but progress is being made.
“This is a storm of historic proportions and it’s all hands on deck to ensure we turn the lights on again to impacted families and businesses,” Brown says. “Lineworkers are wired to help their neighbors; they won’t stop until power is restored for all.”
Meyers notes that mutual aid is a core principle of the cooperative model.
“We know what it’s like to face natural disasters here in Oklahoma,” Meyers says. “Helping our fellow co-ops in their time of need strengthens the bond between us and reaffirms the power of cooperation.”
Hurricane Helene is projected to be one of the most costly hurricanes to hit Georgia in recent years, with extensive damage to homes, businesses and power infrastructure. While full recovery will take time, the assistance from Oklahoma’s co-ops is making a critical impact.
As they continue to work in Georgia, Oklahoma’s crews know that their contributions will bring light — and hope — back to communities struggling to rebuild. The cooperative difference is more than just delivering electricity; it’s about people helping people, no matter the distance.
Editor’s Note: As Oklahoma’s crews work to restore power in Georgia following Hurricane Helene, at the time of writing, Jefferson Energy Cooperative was near complete restoration.However, the damage to property, homes and businesses is ongoing. The ever-changing nature of these storms underscores the importance of the cooperative network’s readiness and resilience in facing the unknown impacts ahead.
Powering up Georgia
All Oklahoma mutual aid crews have been assisting Jefferson Energy Cooperative based out of Wrens, Georgia. After the initial impact, 100% of their membership, 36,878, was without power.
The OAEC Disaster Relief Fund Committee approved a contribution of $15,000 to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Cooperative Development Fund. NRECA will oversee with the distribution of funds for disaster relief to electric co-ops and employees directly affected by Hurricane Helene in multiple states.
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