CEMC Crews Head South to Aid with Winter Storm Fern Recovery

After days of round-the-clock work to restore power across our own five-county service area, CEMC lineworkers packed their bags and headed back out to assist neighboring communities.

Once every CEMC member had service restored and we confirmed that no other electric cooperatives in Tennessee needed additional assistance, we released crews to support utilities still facing major impacts from the storm. At that time, Nashville Electric Service was reporting more than 30,000 outages, and areas served by Tishomingo County Electric Power Association and other utilities in Mississippi were facing more than 60,000.

In total, CEMC sent crews to both Tennessee and Mississippi to join the massive restoration effort underway across the region. This is the cooperative way.

When the need is here at home, we focus on our members. When our members are restored and our neighboring utilities are still in crisis, we send help.

A Week That Showed the Strength of Community

Before our crews ever crossed state lines, this storm demonstrated what can happen when a community rallies together. Local restaurants kept lineworkers, tree trimmers, and all support staff fed, hotels opened their doors to mutual aid teams, and churches, civic groups, and volunteers delivered meals, supplies, and encouragement. Many businesses offered discounts, donations, and support without ever being asked.

Behind the scenes, dispatchers, warehouse teams, engineers, service representatives, operations and communications staff, and many others worked long hours to keep information flowing and restoration moving. At the same time, our members showed patience, kindness, and resilience during an incredibly difficult stretch.

Continuing the Cooperative Commitment

Mutual aid is a promise electric cooperatives make to one another. When large storms hit, no system stands alone. Crews travel across county and state lines to help neighbors recover faster, just as others will come when we need them.

We are grateful that, after completing restoration at home, we were in a position to send help. Please join us in thanking the CEMC lineworkers who traveled to assist communities in Nashville and Mississippi. Their commitment to service did not end at our border.