Commentary: Thank you from Appalachian Power for your help
Appalachian Power customers will likely recall Hurricane Helene's impact on our area and the country for decades.
Here at home, we will remember not only the monumental damage and flooding left by the storm but also the tremendous outpouring of support felt in our communities.
We will also never forget the incredible response we received as thousands of workers traveled from across the United States to answer our company's call for mutual assistance.
When the storm hit our area, winds of 65 mph combined with heavy rain caused trees to topple onto powerlines, damaging wire, poles, crossarms, transformers and other equipment needed to deliver electricity safely. After the winds subsided and flood waters receded, the weather event would prove to be the most destructive storm to strike Appalachian Power's three-state service area since the 2012 derecho. It was also the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The task before us was daunting, but a workforce of 7,360 conquered challenging terrain and unspeakable devastation to keep the company's promise of restoring power to affected customers as safely and quickly as possible. In Appalachian Power's service area, some 282,000 homes and businesses lost electric service on Sept. 27, including nearly 176,000 in Virginia, 85,000 in West Virginia and over 21,000 in Tennessee.
Before power could be restored to our impacted customers, hundreds of assessors worked on foot, by drone and by helicopter to assess and document the damage. Assessing damage following a storm is crucial for several reasons. It allows us to prioritize recovery efforts, ensuring that the most critical needs, such as downed power lines, blocked roads and damaged infrastructure, are addressed first. Accurate damage assessments help allocate resources efficiently, enabling emergency responders and utility workers to focus on the most significant impact areas. Most importantly, assessing damage quickly and thoroughly helps identify potential safety hazards for our employees and our customers, such as unstable structures or flooding, reducing the risk of injury and further loss.
Our beautiful mountains and forested areas are a staple of our communities. Still, following Hurricane Helene, they proved to be very challenging as we worked in treacherous terrain to accurately assess and document the full extent of the damage.
In just over a week, we completed assessment and power restoration for all customers who were able to receive electric service. Sadly, some homes and businesses were damaged beyond repair and unable to take electricity, but when they are ready, rest assured, we will be there to provide them with power.
We are deeply thankful for the unprecedented response we received from utilities nationwide.
Following Hurricane Helene, line workers from 27 states arrived to help our crews and contractors restore service. Assistance would come from: Alabama; Arkansas; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan, Missouri; Nebraska; New Hampshire; New York; Ohio; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Texas; Vermont and Wisconsin.
These crews rebuilt what had taken decades to put in place; their work wasn't easy. Over 10 days, crews put in an estimated 1 million hours of work to rebuild Appalachian Power's heavily damaged grid. More than 3,100 unique locations were impacted following the storm, and much of the damage proved to be extensive and in areas not accessible by truck.
Workers faced historic flooding, fallen trees and debris, and road and bridge closures to restore service. This storm pushed us to be innovative in our restoration process, using special equipment for hard-to-access areas, including helicopters, digger derricks and track machines, to essentially rebuild the energy grid in some areas. Over 1,400 forestry personnel were needed to remove trees, limbs and debris hazards. In total, crews replaced 1,485 poles, including 100 by helicopter, 214 miles of wire and 471 transformers, among thousands of other critical pieces of electrical infrastructure.
The task was daunting, but the support we received from our community partners kept us going. From customers donating food to crews and even offering laundry services, to the notes of appreciation left on our trucks, this collective effort has reminded us of the strength and unity that defines community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped, making recovery a shared journey. Your patience, understanding and words of support for our employees, contractors and mutual assistance partners who worked tirelessly to restore power will also not be forgotten.
Visit bit.ly/HurricaneHeleneAPCo to see videos showcasing the work performed by our crews following Hurricane Helene.
Walker is president and chief operating officer of Appalachian Power Co.
