SECO Energy Crews to Aid Hurricane Sally Restoration
SECO Energy is sending crews to aid in power restoration after Hurricane Sally left thousands without power in the Florida Panhandle. Thirteen SECO employees left the Ocala Operations Center early this morning traveling to Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) in Jay, Florida.
Hurricane Sally made landfall in Gulf Shores, Alabama as a CAT 2 hurricane in the early morning hours of September 16. The hurricane weakened into a tropical depression and turned east into the Florida Panhandle. Residents in the Panhandle have experienced torrential rains and flooding.
A module of first-class line personnel, a supervisor, a superintendent and a first-class mechanic will arrive in the Panhandle to begin assisting with power restoration this afternoon. EREC serves over 11,000 members in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties. This morning, more than 8,800 members of EREC are without power.
CEO Jim Duncan is honored that SECO Energy can aid Panhandle residents. Duncan stated, “As a Florida electric cooperative, we know firsthand how devastating hurricanes, tropical storms and tropical depressions are for our members. We are honored to send crews to help EREC restore power for the members it serves.”
Duncan continued, “SECO places a top priority on safety and our employees do as well. The energy industry carries inherent dangers and working in an area that has been damaged by a storm is even more treacherous. My thoughts are with the Florida residents and business owners affected by Hurricane Sally and for the safety of crews working to restore service.”
Vice President of Reliability and Operations John LaSelva stated, “Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our seven cooperative principles. When called, SECO is willing to send mutual aid and offer assistance to our cooperative peers. I am grateful for our employees who show their commitment to the cooperative purpose by volunteering to help others.”
SECO team members reporting to EREC:
Mark Bowling
Todd Yates
Bryan Lancaster
Dave Kerns
Jimmy Johns
Ryan Hendrix
Derek Eveleth
Brandon Blackmon
Gary Zachary
Paul Byrd
Tommy Lakin
Chris Reynolds
Rick Walsh
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