Palmetto, Ga. – February 15, 2014 – While the prospect of ice and snow showers seemed exciting for some area residents, local utilities remained apprehensive Tuesday as winter weather approached.

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, Coweta-Fayette EMC CEO Anthony “Tony” Sinclair reported there were still approximately 700 members scattered throughout co-op territory without electricity.  According to Sinclair, crews will continue working around the clock until all power is restored.

The EMC area was blanketed with heavy ice accumulation on tree limbs causing them to break and fall on power lines Wednesday and Thursday.  With more ice pilling up and temperatures dropping, conditions worsened as the day went on.  It was estimated that about 20,000 EMC members were without power at the height of the storm on Wednesday evening.

Twenty-one out of twenty-five substations lost main circuits from falling limbs and ice, and 60 broken poles have already been replaced.

With predictions of the approaching storm, extra crews were called in and ready for work in case outages began to occur. Right-of-way and line crews came to Coweta-Fayette’s aid from Georgia, Indiana, Alabama and Mississippi totaling 191 extra workers helping restore power.  All EMC trucks were ready to go, additional supplies and gas were ordered and all employees were placed on call.

If you need to report an outage please contact the EMC at 770-502-0226.