EREC Shows Commitment to Neighbors & Community
In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, the spirit of cooperation and community has shone brighter than ever.
As an electric cooperative, it’s Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s duty and privilege to stand by those in need—within our own membership and beyond. EREC teams are proud to serve and help bring power back to thousands of members.
A Unified Effort: Helping Central Florida Electric Cooperative
Shortly after the hurricane hit, it became clear Central Florida Electric Cooperative was facing an unprecedented challenge.
Nearly 100% of CFEC’s membership was without power, a staggering figure that called for immediate, organized assistance. That’s when our first team of seven— consisting of lineworkers and support personnel—made the journey to Central Florida to help restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
These dedicated team members worked primarily in the communities of Chiefland and Cedar Key, spending just more than a week on the ground.
They worked tirelessly to rebuild damaged infrastructure, replace downed power lines and restore electricity to areas devastated by the hurricane. Every hour brought new challenges, but the determination and skill of the EREC team made a significant impact.
The outpouring of support from their families and friends kept them going through long days and sleepless nights.
In addition to assisting CFEC, EREC’s warehouse supervisor lent a hand to Talquin Electric Cooperative, ensuring equipment and supplies were readily available to its teams in its relief efforts.
This collaboration across cooperatives demonstrates the power of shared values and mutual support that are at the heart of the cooperative model.
Shifting Focus: Mutual Assistance in Times of Crisis
Once power was restored to Central Florida, EREC teams continued to go wherever needed. Mutual assistance is crucial when disaster strikes, and we are proud to be part of a network that operates on the principle of “neighbor helping neighbor.”
In response to Hurricane Helene, cooperatives from 17 states sent mutual aid crews to the seven states affected by the storm. These crews came equipped with skills, tools, and determination to help restore power and provide relief.
The Power of Community Support
Throughout the relief efforts, the support and encouragement from friends, families and EREC members played an invaluable role.
For the lineworkers and support staff, knowing their hard work was appreciated and they had the backing of their cooperative family gave them the strength to keep going.
Many of EREC’s crews said the outpouring of gratitude from the people they helped—along with messages of support from home—provided a muchneeded boost during long hours on the job.
“Because co-ops have invested tremendously in storm preparation, strategic organization and technology, they are able to bring thousands of skilled workers and necessary equipment in advance of an anticipated event, cutting restoration wait times by days and in some cases, weeks,” Florida Electric Cooperative Association’s spokesperson says.
This experience has reminded all of us about the power of community—not just in the assistance we give but also in the support we receive.
As an electric cooperative, our mission goes beyond providing reliable power. We are part of a larger network of cooperatives that extend helping hands in times of crisis. The bonds we create in these moments of need reflect the true spirit of cooperation.
Looking Ahead
While Hurricane Helene has passed, our commitment to serving our members and neighbors remains steadfast. Whether it’s restoring power in the aftermath of a storm or ensuring the lights stay on during day-to-day operations, we are here to serve you.
EREC is proud to be part of the cooperative network and will continue to help fellow cooperatives and communities in need whenever disaster strikes.
Thank you to our team members, their families, and our entire cooperative community for showing what it truly means to care for one another. Together, we are stronger. Together, we keep the lights on.
—The EREC Team