More than 110 experienced line workers from electric cooperatives across Virginia and Maryland are aiding sister co-ops in Georgia and South Carolina working to restore power following Hurricane Irma. Crews from Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC), two linemen from each of the four districts, are aiding Ocmulgee Electric Membership Corporation in Eastman, Georgia.

According to a press release, as Hurricane Irma churned across the Caribbean and made landfall in the Florida Keys, distribution cooperative members of the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) activated mutual assistance plans to send line crews, trucks and supplies to areas experiencing widespread outages.

“Our sixth Cooperative Principle is ‘Cooperation Among Cooperatives,’” SEC Vice President of Operations Brad Furr said in a press release. “Co-ops from those areas affected by Hurricane Irma have aided our members in times of need in the past, and it’s our turn to help get the lights back on for them. Our crews are prepared to assist our sister co-ops as long as we are needed.” SEC linemen left Tuesday for Georgia.