After spending several weeks rebuilding the power grid along Highway 70, the UCEMC continues to await a rebuild of their facilities.
Employees have been able to get back in the highway 70 location that was badly damaged during the March 3 tornado. UCEMC General Manager Jimmy Gregory said they are waiting for their insurance company to give a final assessment before rebuilding. After the assessment, employees will be displaced once again.
“We are going to have to bring in some office trailers and move our personnel out of that newer building, so construction can begin with the roof and walls,” Gregory said. “It took a pretty good twisting. It’s an extensive project, and it’s going to cost a lot of money.”
Gregory said their main office was not the only building owned by UCEMC damaged by the storm.
“The original offices at 1789 W Broad was deemed a complete loss, as well as one of our older storage buildings,” Gregory said. “We do have permission from the insurance company to demolish those buildings. We are in the process of getting that going.”
The repairs are expected to take months, Gregory said.