Member newsletter for Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative

Crews headed south to help with storm-related outages

Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in September, leaving millions without power. Four SMECO crews joined thousands of other cooperative lineworkers from 17 states to assist in repairs over two weeks. The outpouring of support reflects the strength and unity of our cooperative community.

Two SMECO crews went to Statesboro, Georgia, to assist Excelsior Electric Membership Corporation. Following the storm, 100 percent of Excelsior’s members were without power. Two other SMECO crews traveled to BARC Electric Cooperative in Millboro, Virginia, to offer aid and then went to Pickens, South Carolina, to assist Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. Blue Ridge suffered more than 800 broken poles on their system and rough terrain meant that some areas were inaccessible by machine, requiring crews to dig and place some poles by hand, just like they did in 1940.

Two SMECO crews head to Statesboro, Georgia, on Sept. 27. 

Two SMECO crews leave for Millboro, Virginia, on Sept. 28.