SRE crews travel back from helping restore power in LA (9-9-08)
LUCEDALE, MS – Singing River Electric crews traveled home today after working seven straight days restoring power in Denham Springs, Louisiana.
"It not only benefits the area we help but also our customers when we assist neighboring co-ops ," said general manager and CEO Lee Hedegaard. "Our crews build experience and knowledge that assist them when restorations are necessary at home."
During the time period that Singing River Electric crews were assisting restoration efforts, DEMCO was able to restore power to 83,157 customers. They still have 11,843 remaining without power.
SRE lineman Sam Burkett prepares to reset a power pole in Louisiana. Tree through a home in Denham Springs, La.
SRE sends crews to LA (9-3-08)
LUCEDALE, MS – Singing River Electric Power Association has sent two crews including 18 personnel and 10 vehicles to assist restorations at DEMCO in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana.
SRE Lucedale crew receives final instructions from general manager and CEO Lee Hedegaard before leaving to join a crew from Gautier and head to LA. SRE apprentice lineman Jason Hitt prepares his truck to leave Gautier.
SRE works to restore power following Gustav (9-3-08, 6:30 a.m.)
LUCEDALE, MS – The cooperative did experience some scattered outages on Tuesday due to lingering weather associated with Hurricane Gustav. Singing River Electric Power Association has restored power to all members who could receive power at this time.
- Singing River Electric provides electric service to 68,626 members.
- We had 7,000 members without power at the height of the storm.
- Evacuees who return and find they do not have electric service should call 228-497-1313 or 228-392-0041.
- About 6 customers in mostly houseboats and fish camps on Poticaw Bayou and Fish Lake Road in Vancleave are under water and cannot receive service. Crews will be in the area this morning in boats and will work on restoring power in this area.
SRE crew Graveline Bridge, Gautier (ph oto:Kelly Myers, SRE member)
SRE works to restore power following Gustav (9-2-08, 6:30 a.m.)
LUCEDALE, MS – Singing River Electric Power Association has restored power to all members who could receive power at this time.
- Singing River Electric provides electric service to 68,626 members.
- We had 7,000 members without power at the height of the storm.
- Evacuees who return and find they do not have electric service should call 228-497-1313 or 228-392-0041.
- About 20 customers in mostly houseboats and fish camps on Poticaw Bayou and Fish Lake Road in Vancleave are under water and cannot receive service. Crews will be in the area this morning in boats and will work on restoring power in this area.
SRE works to restore power following Gustav (9-1-08)
LUCEDALE, MS – Singing River Electric Power Association is working diligently to restore power to members who lost electric service during Hurricane Gustav. Our crews have made great progress in restoration of the total 7,000 outages that we experienced throughout the system.
Outage information as of 5:15 p.m. - 9-1-08:
- Jackson and Harrison counties - 411 members without service
- George County - 26 members without service
- Greene, Perry, Stone and Wayne counties - 51 members without service
- Mobile and Washington counties in AL - all power restored
Crews will continue to work into the evening hours with the goal of completing restoration efforts. However, the weather is working against us. Hurricane Gustav's winds and rains are not backing down and they are impeding our progress. Crews worked all last night and through the wind and rain today and therefore must stop working at 10:00 p.m. this evening. They will resume working at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow should there be any customers still needing to be reconnected. Our overall goal is safety of our members and employees but we also always strive to provide responsive service.
Crews on stand by to restore power (8-31-08)
LUCEDALE, MS – "We are expecting tropical storm force winds in our area if the storm remains on the current path," said general manager and CEO Lee Hedegaard. "Our crews are ready and will work to restore power as the storm near landfall until conditions are unsafe. They will resume working as winds die down."
Arrangements have been made to bring in crews from out-of-state to assist restoration efforts following the storm. Additional materials have been delivered to strategic locations across the service area to further speed the recovery process.
Hurricane preparedness information (8-30-08)
LUCEDALE, MS – Singing River Electric continues to prepare for and monitor Hurricane Gustav. Should we experience high winds and rain, power outages are likely. Our member must finalize their plans for evacuations and preparations at home.
"Crews have been assigned across the service area and additional man power is on stand-by should we need them," said general manager and CEO Lee Hedegaard.
Hurricane Prep Tips:
- Use plastic jugs filled with water to help freezer maintain cold temperature.
- Members who use electrical medical equipment or have other special needs should make alternative preparations as SRE cannot guarantee any member's service after a hurricane.
- If it looks like water may enter you home, open the main breaker in your electrical box to cut off power.
- As SRE makes repairs to our system, it is important that members make sure the electrical facilities at their homes and businesses are intact. SRE cannot restore power if the electric meter box or service entrance has been damaged. Contact a qualified electrician to have repairs made.
- Stay away from all downed power lines and take care when removing debris that hidden downed lines are not present.
- Please use caution when driving through utility work areas.
Activated comprehensive emergency storm plan (8-29-08)
LUCEDALE, MS – Singing River Electric has activated its emergency storm plan and is taking necessary precautions for Hurricane Gustav.
"Our members can rest assured that we are paying close attention to Hurricane Gustav and will respond rapidly with restorations," said general manager and CEO Lee Hedegaard.
Keeping watch on Hurricane Gustav's progress
(8-27-08)
LUCEDALE, MS – Singing River Electric Power Association has purchased poles, line materials and other necessary supplies in the event Hurricane Gustav heads our way early next week.
"We urge our members to make preparations and watch local media to monitor the storm's progress," said general manager and CEO Lee Hedegaard
