Coordination key to Hurricane Florence response, Edison Electric Institute says

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) recently highlighted the ongoing coordination between electric companies as well as the electric sector and federal government partners as key to the electric power industry’s response to Hurricane Florence.

“EEI’s member companies in the path of Hurricane Florence have activated their emergency response plans, continue to pre-stage equipment and resources, and have mobilized mutual assistance workers from a number of other states to assist in their storm response,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said.

Electric companies in the path of the storm have mobilized more than 40,000 workers to respond to the hurricane, including mutual assistance workers from at least 17 states. The Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are coordinating to support preparation and staging activities as well as the movement of mutual assistance crews.

“Mutual assistance is an essential part of the electric power industry’s service restoration process and contingency planning,” Kuhn said. “Strong industry-government coordination and cross-sector collaboration are critical, and we appreciate the ongoing leadership from DOE, DHS, and FEMA in helping to coordinate the industry response with federal, state, and local officials.”

Hurricane Florence, a Category 2 storm, is expected to cause widespread, extended power outages in the Carolinas and parts of the Southeast.

“Hurricane Florence likely will be a historic event across the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia,” National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson said. “Electric cooperatives are praying for the best and preparing for the worst. For nearly a week, electric cooperatives have coordinated recovery and mutual assistance plans ahead of Hurricane Florence’s arrival, and are prepared to respond to extended outages around the clock as soon as weather conditions allow.”