NORMAN, OK—Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC) has completed power restoration efforts following devastating tornadoes that tore through Oklahoma last week.
“The storms initially knocked out power to 16,000 OEC members on Wednesday night,” said Brianna Wall, OEC manager of marketing and member relations. “Crews worked through the weekend to rebuild over 200 poles and nine miles of electric and fiber lines that were destroyed.”
While uprooted trees and debris slowed progress, OEC, OEC Fiber and contractor crews continued working diligently until power was restored for all members.
“Our hearts are with those who lost homes or worse, family members, during these storms,” said CEO Patrick Grace. “I’m proud of our crews who worked as quickly and safely as possible, spending long days away from their families, until all of our members had power restored.”
OEC Fiber crews have been working alongside OEC crews to ensure internet, phone and TV services are restored for members in the affected areas — some of which have been without those services since Wednesday evening.
“Our fiber technicians continue working diligently splicing and ensuring our services are operational as soon as possible,” said OEC Fiber President David Goodspeed.
The OEC Foundation’s Operation Round Up program is able to offer financial aid to anyone affected by the storms in OEC’s service area, regardless of their electricity provider. More information about this program and the application can be found at www.okcoop.org/ORU. Contact Tory Tedder-Loffland at 405-217-6726 if you have questions about the application or program.
“We thank all of our members for their patience, encouragement and kind words as we worked to restore power and internet service,” said Grace. “The communities of Cole and Etowah will be rebuilding for a while, and we will be with them every step of the way.”
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative is the state’s largest member-owned electric cooperative and provides electricity to over 45,000 members and 62,000 accounts in seven central Oklahoma counties. The service area includes approximately 2,200 square miles and 5,600 miles of line. To find out more about OEC, visit www.okcoop.org.