Only a few weeks into the winter season, residents of West Georgia woke up to the first significant snow since 2017. An average of two inches, in addition to a quarter inch of ice, was blanketed across Carroll EMC’s seven-county footprint. The cooperative responded to outages Friday afternoon and into Saturday afternoon when winds picked up and downed ice-covered trees and limbs.
When severe weather systems are forecasted to impact the area, whether snow, thunderstorm, hurricane or tornado, Carroll EMC immediately begins preparation by placing all personnel on standby, securing assistance from outside crews and restocking any necessary supplies. The co-op corresponds closely with local emergency agencies to receive the most recent and accurate weather updates.
As little as a quarter inch of ice can make electrical equipment more sensitive to the elements and likely to become damaged. The extra weight of ice can cause power lines to sag, even when melting, which can result in an outage. Fallen tree branches can also be 30 times heavier to a power line covered in ice. Being proactive and maintaining a 15-foot right of way is key during situations like this because it allows for fewer fallen trees and easier access for repairs.
During Winter Storm Cora, phone lines were open outside of normal business hours to help Members report outages and damage. Fortunately, repairs were minimal with less than seven thousand total outages and nine broken poles. The cooperative received assistance from Okefenoke Rural Electric Membership Corporation (REMC) and Satilla REMC, as well as MasTec, a local contractor.
“Winter storms are tricky, especially in the South, because there is always a layer of ice to deal with,” said Matt Young, Manager of Safety, Training and Loss Control for Carroll EMC. “Ice makes everything more difficult. Travel and repairs take longer, and you have to be careful of slips, trips and falls. Safety for everyone is our top priority. We’re glad the snow and ice didn’t last any longer than it did.”
The winter season, however, is far from over. In the event of another winter storm or extreme cold spell, Carroll EMC encourages Members to prepare their homes and vehicles for safety and energy efficiency.
- Keep an emergency kit stocked with the appropriate items.
- Weatherproof and insulate your home to keep the warm air in and cold air out. Use towels or blankets under doors and windows to block drafts.
- Adjust the thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature to avoid a dramatic increase in energy usage. The recommended temperature is 68 degrees or lower in the winter.
- Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Have plenty of blankets or another heat source in case of an outage. If using a portable generator, follow manufacturer instructions.
For additional tips, follow Carroll EMC on social media or visit carrollemc.com.