Officials at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (HOEC), report that 8 linemen from HOEC are traveling to DeRidder, Louisiana to assist crews from Beauregard Electric Cooperative with power restoration after the devastation from Hurricane Laura. Other cooperatives from Missouri will also be responding to the call for help.
The crews are expected to stay in a tent city designed to protect them from the virus. Special air filters capable of removing 99.4% of the virus have been installed on the HVAC equipment and beds have been spread out farther than would normally be done.
HOEC as well as other Missouri Electric Cooperatives have a long history of lending a helping hand with hurricane relief efforts. Crews first assisted in 2004 when the Gulf Coast was hit by Hurricane Ivan and have been doing so since.
Relief crews are coordinated by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives located in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Myles Smith, Manager of Member Services at HOEC, said, “HOEC has been on the receiving end of assistance from other cooperatives before. Anytime we are able to return the favor and assist others, we are pleased to do so. That’s what being a cooperative is all about.”
