Cullman Power Board crews assisting after hurricane

Published 6:00 am Thursday, October 11, 2018

A crew from Cullman Power Board is en route to Dothan to provide assistance after Hurricane Michael unleashed destruction across the Florida Panhandle, south Alabama and into Georgia.

Seven linemen from Cullman Power Board departed with two large bucket trucks, a smaller bucket truck and a Digger Derrick used for installing new power poles, said Mike Manning, director the power board.

“We were in touch with the other utilities and we’ve been directed to assist in Dothan,” Manning said. “There are others in north Alabama that are going to other locations, as well.”

Crews from Cullman have extensive experience after helping after Hurricane Katrina as well as in the aftermath of the 2010 tornado outbreak locally.

Electric Cities of Alabama (ECA) commended Cullman Power Board, Dothan Utilities, Riviera Utilities, and Sheffield Utilities for their preparation for Hurricane Michael.

As Hurricane Michael made landfall Wednesday along the Florida Panhandle, a large portion of the Wiregrass area in Southeast Alabama was in the path of the Category 4 hurricane. 

ECA coordinates power restoration assistance to electric city members across the State of Alabama and neighboring states following natural disasters, such as Hurricane Michael. 

Manning said it is uncertain how long the local crew will be needed in Dothan.

“This is something we all try to prepare for and help others across the state,” Manning said.

“I am so thankful for the hardworking men and women that work for municipally owned electric companies throughout our state,” said Jon Hand, executive director of ECA. “When disaster hits, it’s reassuring to know there are utilities such as Cullman Power Board, Riviera Utilities, and Sheffield Utilities ready and willing to lend a helping hand.”

Utilities and contract crews from across the country are joining in a coordinated effort to restore power to areas impacted by Hurricane Michael.

Dothan Utilities, Cullman Power Board, Riviera Utilities, and Sheffield Utilities are members of ECA, a coalition of Alabama’s municipally owned electric utilities that span the state from the Tennessee Valley regions in the north, to the Gulf and Wiregrass regions of the south.