How to Help Us Restore Power Quickly
During a power outage, Habersham EMC’s (HEMC’s) goal is to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. As a member, there are certain steps you can take to assist us in meeting this goal.
Make Sure HEMC Has Your Current Phone Number
Having the correct phone number on file is critical during outages. As soon as a customer calls to report an outage, the outage reporting system requests that the customer leave their phone number at the location of the outage.
However, many times a customer will either leave the phone number from where they are calling, such as a neighbor’s house, a relative’s house, or the number from a second home. It is critical to power restoration for HEMC to have the phone number of the location that is experiencing the outage. This applies to full-time and seasonal residences. Without the correct phone number, power restoration is severely hampered.
A good time to check if we have your correct phone number is when you receive your monthly bill. If the phone number that appears on your bill is not the phone number of the service location, please call the Habersham EMC office to make a correction.
Have Your Account Info Ready When You Call
Please have the account number, the name as it appears on the bill, and the meter number when you call or email.
This information will greatly help HEMC with power restoration, especially if you have multiple accounts. This information will guide us directly to the outage site in the event that one location has power and another does not.
Powering Up After an Outage
Hurricanes, ice storms, and tornadoes. HEMC members have seen them all in the last few years. And with such severe weather comes power outages. Restoring power after a major outage is a big job that involves much more than simply throwing a switch or removing a tree from a line.
The main goal is to restore power safely to the greatest number of members in the shortest time possible.
The major cause of outages is damage caused by fallen trees. That’s why your electric cooperative has an ongoing right-of-way maintenance program.
Report your outage to the cooperative office. Employees or response services use every available phone line to receive your outage reports. Remember that a major outage can affect thousands of other members. Your cooperative appreciates your patience.
The steps below explain how power is typically restored after a major disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado. While power restoration priorities may differ from co-op to co-op, electric system repairs generally follow a plan similar to the one here.
During a major outage, other cooperatives are prepared to help. They send line crews to assist with restoring power.
Individual households may receive special attention if loss of electricity affects life support systems or poses another immediate danger. If you or a family member depends on life support, call HEMC before an emergency arises. When a significant outage occurs, we will fix your problem as quickly as possible, or we will call to let you know to seek shelter elsewhere.
Note: Members themselves (not the co-op) are responsible for damage to the service installation on the building. Your co-op can’t fix this. Call a licensed electrician.
Reprinted from Carolina Country (N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives) with minor changes.