Horry Electric crews at work after intersection crash in Horry County
Electric cooperatives from South Carolina have sent 29 employees to Virginia in advance of a major winter storm that's expected to deliver the most significant snowfall the region has seen in three years.
"This isn't a run-of-the-mill snowstorm," said Todd Carter, vice-president of loss control and training at The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina. "The forecast is predicting a large amount of heavy, wet snow along with gusty winds. If the prediction holds up, there could be widespread power outages all across the region."
In all, seven electric cooperatives from South Carolina are sending assistance to Virginia. Crews have departed from Aiken Electric Cooperative in Aiken, Coastal Electric Cooperative in Walterboro, Edisto Electric Cooperative in Bamberg, Horry Electric Cooperative in Conway, Palmetto Electric Cooperative in Ridgeland, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative in Darlington and Santee Electric Cooperative in Kingstree.
With the exception of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, all of the South Carolina crews traveling north today will assist power restoration efforts at Southside Electric Cooperative in Crewe, Virginia. Pee Dee's employees are being directed to help at Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative in New Castle, Virginia.
"We finished coordinating our plans by noon today to ensure our people will arrive at their location before the storm hits," said Carter. "Safety is our number one priority, whether it's traveling or doing the dangerous work of restoring power after a major event."
South Carolina crews have been told their assistance in Virginia may be needed for up to seven days.
(From a press release)
