Oct. 2, 2024

Teams from utility providers across South Dakota are heading south to help restore power following Hurricane Helene.

A group of 18 linemen from co-ops including East River Electric, Sioux Valley Energy, Oahe Electric Cooperative, Bon Homme Yankton Electric and West River Electric are going to the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op in South Carolina.

Their work will include setting poles and building distribution lines.

“This is what electric co-ops do – we help one another in times of need. That is the benefit of the cooperative model and the principle ‘cooperation amongst cooperatives,’” said Tim McCarthy, Sioux Valley Energy general manager and CEO.

“Sioux Valley Energy has been on the receiving end of mutual aid from other cooperatives during storm restoration, and so our lineworkers are answering the call to help Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in South Carolina through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. As of Wednesday morning, it looks like Blue Ridge had just over 21,000 members out of power. We thank the lineworkers for their commitment and dedication, and know they will do a great job.”

More than 100 Xcel Energy employees including some from Minnesota and South Dakota left for Georgia today to support local power companies in restoring power.

“Our employees are dedicated to serving not only our customers but those in need elsewhere,” said Ryan Long, president, Xcel Energy—Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. “We’re thankful for our crews who work around the clock to restore power after severe weather hits and know they will deliver outstanding service for those affected by the hurricane.”

The crews could be gone a couple of weeks. The hurricane left more than 1 million people without power throughout the Southeast.