Two linemen with Oahe Electric are part of a group from South Dakota heading east (Oct. 2, 2024) to help with the recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Journeyman Linemen Austin Bergeson and Brady Gaer are two of 18 employees from rural electric cooperatives across the state that are sending help restore power along the path of destruction. The linemen – eight from Sioux Valley Energy, four from East River Electric Power Cooperative, two from Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, two from West River Electric Association and again, two from Oahe Electric Cooperative– will work alongside Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative crews near Pickens, South Carolina, to get members’ power back online.
The storm’s 140-plus mph winds caused catastrophic damage to power distribution lines. After the storm, Blue Ridge Electric reported over 450 downed utility poles, leaving 90% of its service area, or 64,000 meters, without power.
When Blue Ridge Electric sent out a call for help, South Dakota’s cooperatives answered.
Mark Patterson, Manager of Loss Control Services at South Dakota Rural Electric Association. He says mutual aid is one of the main principles of co-ops, so when their sister co-ops are in trouble, South Dakota is going to send help. He says the group is making the 1200+ mile trip with bucket trucks, skid steers, an ATV and other equipment need to make repairs in the swampy and mountainous terrain.
East River Electric Transmission Maintenance Superintendent, Wade Bialas, is coordinating the relief effort. He told linemen to expect to stay in tents, work long days and to prepare for less-than-ideal conditions. The volunteering linemen are prepared to stay in South Carolina from two and four weeks.
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