News Releases

Walton EMC Sends Crews and Equipment

to Help Restore Power

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2004

Contact Greg Brooks, 770/267-2307

MONROE, Ga.-Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) sent crews and equipment to help restore electric service to thousands of Georgians left without power following winter weather that hit the north and east part of the state on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26 and 27.

At the height of the storm, approximately 23,000 customers from five EMCs were without power. During two days, 13 EMCs, including Walton EMC, sent crews and equipment to aid in restoration efforts.

Walton EMC crews traveled to Washington, GA to help Rayle EMC repair downed power lines, damaged circuits and other equipment.

"Consumers were very considerate for as long as they'd been without power," said Chris Stacy, a Walton EMC line technician. "They were very patient which was a big plus during any outage."

Rayle EMC was one of four EMCs to sustain the most damage to electric distribution systems and experience outages due to fallen trees and ice accumulating on power lines.

"We really appreciate the Walton EMC crews coming out and helping," said Rayle EMC Director of Member Services Jeff Paul. "We couldn't have gotten all the lights back on without the help from other EMCs."

Walton EMC has helped electric cooperatives restore power in other parts of Georgia, as well as North Carolina, South Carolina and Mississippi.

Walton EMC is a consumer-owned cooperative providing electricity and related services to 110,000 accounts in Barrow, Clarke, DeKalb, Greene, Gwinnett, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Rockdale and Walton counties.

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