Electric power industry response efforts to Hurricane Michael underway as storm progresses

The Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are working closely in response to power restoration following Hurricane Michael’s landfall near Panama City, Florida, Wednesday afternoon.

“Hurricane Michael is a dangerous storm, and we appreciate the leadership from DOE, DHS, and FEMA in helping to coordinate the industry’s response with federal, state, and local officials,” said ESCC Co-chair Duane Highley, president and CEO of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation.

As of 7 p.m. on Oct. 10, Hurricane Michael, which was upgraded to a strong category 4 storm before hitting the Florida coast, has left approximately 429,000 customers without power. In anticipation of the storm, investor-owned electric companies, public power utilities, and electric cooperatives serving the areas in Michael’s path pre-positioned equipment and resources in strategic locations to minimize the time needed to begin damage assessment and recovery efforts.

“More than 30,000 workers from at least 24 states are mobilized and ready to start assessing damage and making repairs as soon as it is safe to do so,” said ESCC Co-Chair Tom Fanning, chairman, president, and CEO of Atlanta-based Southern Company. “The terrific coordination between the electric power industry and the government to prepare for and respond to this storm will aid our crews as they restore power and hope to the customers and communities we are so privileged to serve.”

Crews are working to respond to power outages as quickly and as safely as possible. In some of the most heavily damaged and flooded zones, workers may not be able to gain access until the storm clears. Customers are being asked to stay clear of damaged areas and to avoid returning home until state emergency officials have indicated it is safe to do so.

“We know that being without power causes hardships, and electric companies ask customers to stay safe and continue to heed warnings from their local officials,” said ESCC Co-Chair Kevin Wailes, CEO of Lincoln, Nebraska-based Lincoln Electric System. “Safety is the electric power industry’s number one priority, and we are focused on the safety of our customers, communities, and crews.”