(WTAQ-WLUK) — Crew members from 15 Wisconsin Electric Cooperatives, including in Oconto, are assisting with storm recovery after Hurricane Helene.
The 45-member crew gathered at Rock Energy Cooperative in Janesville Wednesday before making the trek to Aiken Electric Cooperative in Aiken, South Carolina.
“In parts of South Carolina, where our Wisconsin crews are heading, it’s not just a restoration, but a complete rebuild,” said Rob Richard, Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) interim president and CEO. “Full substations, and the roads that lead to them, are completely washed away. Even the underground lines are gone. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are impacted.”
Crews are expected to be there for two weeks.
“Restoring power in this area is going to be a monumental effort,” said Tim Clay, WECA vice president of operations. “We offer our gratitude and appreciation for the crews heading south to assist with this crisis, who will be working in challenging conditions, including mountainous terrain and extensive flooding. The work will be physically challenging, with off-road restoration and a lot of climbing. Safety will be paramount as they work to assist in this unprecedented event.”
Participating Wisconsin electric cooperatives include:
- Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative
- Barron Electric Cooperative
- Bayfield Electric Cooperative
- Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative
- Dairyland Power Cooperative
- Dunn Energy Cooperative
- Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
- Jump River Electric Cooperative
- Oakdale Electric Cooperative
- Oconto Electric Cooperative
- Price Electric Cooperative
- Riverland Energy Cooperative
- Rock Energy Cooperative
- Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative
- Taylor Electric Cooperative
A crew from Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, joined the Wisconsin co-ops making the trip.
At least 215 people are dead – making it the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Washed out roads, downed power lines and mudslides are making it hard to reach some areas that have been impacted by Helene.
You can help with your donation through Sinclair Cares. Sinclair Broadcast Group will match up to $50,000 donated. So far, more than $143,000 has been donated nationwide. Friday, Oct. 4 has been designed as Sinclair’s ‘Day of Giving’.
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