Storm Soldiers Aid in New Hampshire

Cooperation Among Cooperatives at Work

By Katie Luckett, Manager of Marketing, Communications and Education

One of the most damaging storms in New Hampshire Electric Cooperative’s 85-year history hit on April 4, causing over 50,000 members to lose power. Choptank Electric Cooperative sent a crew of 12 linemen and servicemen to assist in the restoration efforts from April 4-11.

According to NH Electric Co-op, the storm delivered 20 inches of heavy, wet snow in some areas that weighed on trees and wires, causing significant power outages. High winds of more than 60 mph immediately following the storm made initial restoration efforts even more difficult and caused delays to ensure the safety of lineworkers.

Many other electric cooperatives along the east coast also joined in to help NH Electric Co-op with over 400 personnel engaged, repairing more than 150 broken poles and clearing nearly 1,000 damaged areas.

Working 16-hour days, our crew cleared blocked roads, cut through downed trees and replaced poles in soft, muddy grounds. “New Hampshire Electric Cooperative treated us very well,” said Wayne Daubach, Manager of District Operations in Denton. “We even got to experience the eclipse while up there. It wasn’t a full blackout, but the sky turned a greyish sunset like color while we were working.”

Thank you to Choptank Electric’s Paul Miles, Wayne Daubach, Josh McCafferty, Ethan Wallace, Thomas Iseman, Clint Mills, Todd Anderson, Brody Bennett, Chas Fisher, Gabe Dennis, DeShown Gayle and Alan Eginbrode for your mutual aid service and time in New Hampshire.