Electric employees help restore power

The devastation of Hurricane Katrina has been felt as far away as Tennessee, and Warren County is no different as local residents have helped displaced storm victims in their time of need.

The real implications of Hurricane Katrina, however, became even more real for Caney Fork Electric Cooperative employees as 11 members of the cooperative workforce were sent to Franklinton, La., to aid in the restoration of power for members of the Washington-St. Tammany Electric Cooperative.

“We always try to respond to a cry for assistance when a sister cooperative calls,” said Caney Fork general manager Hubert King. “The devastation in Louisiana is beyond belief and we are pleased we could in some way be of help to them. We need to remember our sister cooperative’s employees, many of whom have lost their homes in this crisis. Our employees can return to their homes when this is over, they can’t.”

The Louisiana cooperative borders Lake Pontchartrain and serves approximately 42,000 members. Currently they have 84 percent of their customers without power.

Caney Fork employees, along with two line trucks, two bucket trucks, two pole trailers and two pickup trucks, left in the early morning hours Sept. 9 to make the 538-mile trek to Louisiana.

Along with the Caney Fork employees, T&M Distribution sent six men and equipment to aid in restoration efforts. T&M Distribution is a contract crew for Caney Fork Electric Cooperative.