Big Sandy RECC crews on Route 1092 in Flatgap, Kentucky (Johnson County) Photo: Big Sandy RECC
With yet another winter storm forecast to dump freezing rain, sleet and snow, especially on southeastern Kentucky, crews are continuing to work in frigid conditions Wednesday. After outages rose overnight to about 60,000 consumer-members, the statewide total for electric cooperative outages now stands at 45,840. At its height Tuesday morning, total outages for Kentucky co-ops surpassed 100,000.
Electric cooperatives report multiple broken poles. Big Sandy RECC alone reports an estimated 200 broken poles that need to be replaced before electrical equipment and wires can be installed.
“As we feared, the scope and scale of the damage suggests a prolonged outage. If you are currently without power, it is advisable to prepare for days without service, with the likelihood that it will take more than a week to restore power to all members,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, the statewide association which supports the locally owned and operated cooperatives. “As member-owned utilities, our cooperatives greatly appreciate the understanding of co-op consumer-members. Know we are working as quickly as we safely can.”