Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation Sending Crews South to Assist with Hurricane Michael Recovery Efforts – Cookeville, TN. – Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) is once again sending crews to help with storm recovery efforts. Line workers and equipment are rushing to assist area cooperatives as the biggest storm in 13 years brings life-threatening storm surges and 110 mph winds to the Florida Panhandle. 

General Manager Jimmy Gregory says UCEMC crews always respond quickly to help surrounding co-ops. “Strong storms like this can leave thousands of people without power,” Gregory said. “The working conditions are difficult and the hours are long, but it’s good to know that if we had a big storm here, we could count on our neighboring co-ops to help us.”

The massive hurricane is expected to leave widespread power outages across much of the northeastern Gulf Coast. UCEMC crews will be in place to assist as soon as it is safe to work. 

“Ten of us are headed down there and we’re taking digger trucks, bucket trucks and other equipment to help restore power,” Foreman Joe Frizzel said. We ask that everyone keep those who are hardest hit by this storm in your thoughts and prayers.” Frizzel and his crew join more than 80 other line workers from electric co-ops across Tennessee who will be assisting with hurricane recovery efforts.