Nearly all SVEC consumer members remain without power this morning. Yesterday was spent assessing damage done to the co-op’s electric system and SVEC continues working today with emergency management, sheriff’s offices and road departments to remove trees and powerlines obstructing roadways.
Eight Duke Energy transmission lines serving SVEC substations are still inoperable.
In Live Oak, Walmart, the Quality Inn, Zaxby’s, Moe’s, the Fusion Buffet, Subway and Beef O’Brady’s are being fed power by a generator operated by SVEC.
176 lineworkers and vegetation clearers from SVEC and contractors fanned out across SVEC’s service territory at first light today to begin the process of restoring power. 104 additional lineworkers are due to arrive today from electric cooperatives in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.
Personnel from Storm Services worked through the night to assemble a base camp for food and housing accommodations at SVEC’s campus in Live Oak. It’s expected that 350 people will be fed and 150 will sleep at base camp tonight.
Due to the extent of the damage done to SVEC’s grid, the co-op recommends that it’s consumer-members prepare to be without power for up to 2 weeks. Those dependent on electricity for medical equipment will need to continue with their alternate arrangements for power supply or relocate until further notice.
“We are experiencing very high call volume and longer wait times for callers,” says Director of Member Services John Robinson. “We thank our members for their patience as we all work though this difficult time and would like people to know that while we are now aware of all outages, our member service representatives are not able to provide estimated restoration times for individual locations.”
