Southern Rivers Energy (SRE) is grateful to many members, local businesses and contractors who aided in the restoration process following the Jan. 12 tornadoes and storms.

The National Weather Service has reported ten tornados associated with the massive storm system, two of which ripped through parts of SRE's system in Meriwether, Pike and Spalding counties. More than 4,400 SRE members lost power in the wake of the storm. SRE linemen and right-of-way crews responded immediately and restored power to nearly 3,000 members within four hours.

The Alps community and parts of Dunbar School, Allie and Rocky Mount Roads were among the hardest hit areas of SRE’s territory. Crews worked around the clock to replace broken poles, rebuild cross-arms, cut and remove trees, and replace miles and miles of power lines.

When severe weather hits our region, we call on our sister co-ops in areas that expect to be unaffected by the approaching storm. This mutual aid agreement allows us to work together and share resources to restore power more quickly for our members. Southern Rivers Energy returns the favor whenever possible if other co-ops are in need.

Thank you to Grady EMC, Oconee EMC, Flint Energies, Coastal Electric, Jefferson Energy Cooperative and Altamaha EMC for answering the call and sending 31 linemen to assist our crews. In addition to help from EMCs, there were 11 MasTec, 60 Sumter Utilities and 18 Harper's Tree Service contractors working alongside line crews.

Individuals living and working in the affected areas also sprang into action. Double P Grading of Williamson, Bernard Williams from Pine Hill Timber Company, and several other members volunteered to clear debris and cut paths to the damaged areas of the electric system. That allowed linemen and contractors to reconnect members much faster than anticipated. Mac’s Grill in Thomaston donated 250 biscuits and members on Rocky Mount Road (who did not want to be recognized) brought 50 pizzas, 40 sandwiches, chips and drinks for crews working in the cold and bitter wind Saturday afternoon.

"We want to thank our members for their patience as we worked to restore power and those in the community who stepped up and volunteered their services to support our efforts,” said Southern Rivers Energy’s President/CEO Michael McMillan. “We are sincerely grateful we have a dedicated network of EMCs across the state and country that we can rely on, as well as a dependable group of local contractors.”