Rural electric co-ops send lineworkers to help co-ops in hurricane-ravaged Fla.; help may also be needed in S.C.

States with electric co-ops sending assistance to Florida and
maybe South Carolina (Natl. Rural Electric Coop. Assn.)

Rural electric cooperatives in nine states are sending lineworkers to Florida after Hurricane Ian knocked out power for hundreds of thousands in the Sunshine State. Over 300 are being sent from states as far away as Oklahoma, Texas and Kentucky to help co-ops in Florida.

“We are in touch with co-ops throughout the region in a coordinated effort to maximize a safe and effective power restoration effort,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, in a press release. “We are praying for the safety of our cooperative family. Many of the affected co-ops have sent crews to Kentucky in the past to assist us after disasters here.”

According to the Kentucky association, many of the 70 lineworkers from the state's co-ops were already polishing their skills at the Kentucky Lineman's Rodeo in Paducah. Co-ops in Florida have already made arrangements for the visiting crews and supplies of poles, connectors and other material will be shipped from several states. With the hurricane now tracking north toward the Carolinas, Joe Arnold, the vice president of strategic communications with the Kentucky co-ops said crews may also be sent to South Carolina.