LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s been three weeks since Hurricane Helene made landfall bringing historic damage to communities in Georgia and North Carolina. The damage has triggered a mutual aid response across the country, including here in Kentucky.

What You Need To Know

  • It’s been three weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall knocked out electric service to an estimated 1.25 million co-op members in the southeastern U.S

  • Restoring power to the 100,000 co-op members in Kentucky after Hurricane Helene then deployed more than 250 linemen mutual aid to North and South Carolina and into Georgia.

  • Lineworkers say they had to completely rebuild the entire electric system 

  • crews in the Carolinas have come home, but there are still some crews remaining in Georgia and might be there through the next week

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Restoring power to the 100,000 co-op members in Kentucky after Hurricane Helene.

Vice President of Strategic Communications for Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Joe Arnold says after taking care of Kentucky they deployed more than 250 linemen to North and South Carolina and into Georgia.

“We actually have deployed the largest number of co-op linemen in our history. More than 250 linemen, as well as more than 150 contract crews from co-ops that have deployed to the area and they have been on the ground since,” said Arnold.

Arnold says crews didn’t understand the nature or the scope of the damage until they were there on the ground

“We’re talking about the complete rebuilding of their entire electric system and [an] electric system that took since 1937 to build was wiped out in one or two days by the storm there that occurred three weeks ago. And so this is talked about not just a kind of repair of a system. They have rebuilt the entire electrical system of some of the areas of Georgia and North Carolina in the last three weeks,” Arnold added.

Arnold says seasoned linemen who have been doing this for years say it’s the worst they’ve ever seen.

“Not just the stamped poles and the downed wires, but in some cases, the earth below them has moved. They’ve had to re-engineer and rebuild, because the old ground isn’t there anymore,” said Arnold.

Linemen on the ground tell Arnold the people who are the most severely affected are grateful for their help and efforts.

“They’re not going to be able to restore your life or bring back somebody that you lost, but at least you know you’re not alone. At least know that people care enough to make the distance, to make the trip, and to do what they can to try to return some normalcy to your lives,” Arnold said.

Restoring electric service one power line at a time.

Arnold said, “When we have a common sense of purpose and we pull together to make things happen, you can make a difference.”

According to Arnold, crews in the Carolinas have come home, but there are still some crews remaining in Georgia and might be there through the next week.

Across 24 states, over 10,000 linemen overall have been helping restore power to those affected by Hurricane Helene.

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