Answering the call
Hurricane Idalia brought high winds and flooding that impacted Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative’s coastal service areas, which include Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties. After restoring power to our Members, on August 31st, WREC responded to a request for mutual aid by sending 86 linemen, mechanics, and warehouse personnel along with large bucket trucks, digger trucks, heavy equipment, and supplies to assist Central Florida Electric Cooperative and Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative in their restoration efforts. After nearly two weeks of assisting our neighboring Cooperatives to the north, WREC is happy to announce that all our crews are back home safely!
In a quote from WREC’s General Manager (David Lambert), “Cooperation among cooperatives is a founding principle of Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative.” He is very thankful to WREC’s employees for their dedication toward helping our neighbors in need.
Mutual Aid, the Cooperative Way.
Mutual aid is an agreement through which other utilities offer their restoration services after natural disasters strike and cause widespread power outages. As an electric cooperative, “Cooperation Among Cooperatives” is one of WREC’s founding principles. Though each Cooperative is an independent organization, cooperatives serve their Members by working together locally, nationally, regionally, and internationally. This cooperation allows for cooperatives to improve services, boost local economies, and deal more effectively with community needs.
