UCEMC Crews Heading to Hurricane Sally

Electric line workers from Carthage and Livingston are on their way to Gulf Shores, Alabama to help with Hurricane Sally.

Crews set out Friday morning after getting their 24 hour notice. UCEMC General Manager Jimmy Gregory said the bond between line workers is about stepping up when disaster strikes.

“It’s the human thing to do, sometime it will be our turn to ask for help,” Gregory said. “As a matter of fact we asked one our neighboring Co-Ops for help March 3rd, 2020 when the tornado struck Cookeville.”

Gregory said UCEMC has been sending line workers to help since Hurricane Katrina. UCEMC’s line workers are assisting Baldwin EMC who has 98% of its power down.

“Without outside help these Co-Ops in Florida, in Alabama, and Louisiana would take months to restore that service,” Gregory said. “With the outside help, you can cut that to a few weeks.”

Gregory said line workers will be called back to the Upper Cumberland in 10 to 12 days. However, if problems are persisting, more line workers will be sent.

“Keep our line workers in their thoughts and prayers as they travel away from their families,” Gregory said. “Into what is often times, a very hazardous situation.”

UCEMC’s line workers are joining other across the state in this effort. Gregory said Baldwin EMC requested 1,100 line workers to assist.