POWELL VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE SENDS ASSISTANCE TO FLORIDA TO ASSIST WITH HURRICANE MICHAEL RECOVERY EFFORTS

NEW TAZEWELL- Powell Valley Electric Cooperative is sending thirteen lineworkers to Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative in Live Oak, Florida to assist with Hurricane Michael recovery efforts.

The strongest storm to hit the Florida panhandle in recorded history, the Category 4 hurricane is expected to bring strong wind and significant rainfall to the northern Gulf Coast, and Powell Valley crews will be assisting with the recovery effort as soon as it is safe to work.

“Strong storms like this can leave thousands of people without power,” says PVEC Interim CEO Mike Knotts. “We are proud of our linemen for volunteering to assist our fellow citizens in Florida. I pray a large-scale natural disaster like this never impacts southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee, but if it did I know that hundreds of our fellow electric lineworkers from across the country would come to our aid.”

Crews left from PVEC’s New Tazewell headquarters this morning and are expected to arrive in Live Oak, Florida, on Wednesday night. It is unclear how long they will be in Florida.

“We ask that the public keep these brave men and their families in your thoughts and prayers while they are away,” said Knotts. “They will be working long days in difficult conditions, but they were quick to respond to the call for help. I hope PVEC members are as proud of these brave men as I am.”

Crews from Powell Valley Electric are joining more than 100 other lineworkers from electric co-ops across Tennessee, and hundreds more from 12 southeastern states, who will be assisting with hurricane recovery efforts. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association in Nashville is coordinating requests for mutual aid and makes travel and lodging arrangements for crews who respond.

Powell Valley Electric Cooperative is a consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric utility that provides safe, reliable and affordable energy to more than 30,000 meters in Scott, Lee and Wise counties in Virginia and Claiborne, Hancock, Hawkins, Grainger and Union counties in Tennessee. Learn more about Powell Valley Electric Cooperative at pve.coop.