DEMCO Restoration Update 9/13/2024
Greenwell Springs, LA – In the past twenty-four hours, DEMCO has restored power to all but 1,609 members. Over 500 workers are now mobilized to remaining outages in Livingston and Ascension parishes. Crews will continue to work until power is restored to all members, with estimated restoration by Sunday evening.
Current outages by parish:
Ascension: 498 outages (15,378 total members)
Livingston: 1,088 outages (48,616 total members)
Tangipahoa: 21 outages (627 total members)
East Baton Rouge: 1 outage (36,819 total members)
St. Helena: 1 outage (5322 total members)
East Feliciana: 0 outages (6130 total members)
West Feliciana: 0 outages (4612 total members)
DEMCO follows standard utility practices to repair and re-energize our lines. Our systematic restoration process adheres to a specific sequence to ensure efficiency and safety.
"Whether restoring power after a major storm or handling routine repairs, the safety of our crews and the public is always our top priority,” says member and public relations manager Anne Hawes. “When hundreds of workers are in the field, especially in areas with widespread damage, every action is carefully coordinated and executed with precision to ensure the safety of everyone involved.”
Here are some commonly asked questions and answers related to electric distribution restoration after a storm:
Q: If I see trucks parked and workers not doing anything, why aren’t they working?
A: It may look like crews are not working, but there’s often more going on than meets the eye. Workers might be waiting for specific equipment to arrive, for debris to be cleared, or for safety clearances to continue. Safety clearances are essential checks to ensure that it’s safe to work on energized lines or near hazardous areas. For example, crews need confirmation that lines are de-energized or that no nearby hazards, like downed trees or debris, will put workers at risk.
Additionally, crews may be staging, which means they are positioning themselves to start work as soon as it's safe. Staging in an area ahead of time can be more efficient than mobilizing teams after the safety concerns are resolved. This way, they are ready to act as soon as conditions are clear, which helps restore power more quickly. Waiting in place is often the safest and most efficient approach when working with high-voltage lines, especially when there are other critical repairs happening further up the line.
Q: My neighbors have power, but I don’t. What could be the reason?
A: Your neighbors may be on a different line or circuit than your home. It’s also possible that your service line is damaged or requires repair after the main lines are restored.
Q: Why is my power still out even though I see lights in nearby neighborhoods?
A: Power is restored in stages. Crews focus on repairing main distribution lines first, which serve large groups of people. If your home is on a line that requires further repair, your power will be restored once that line is cleared, repaired, and reenergized.
Q: Why can’t I see crews in my area?
A: Crews may be working on repairs further up the line from your home. Even if you don’t see them nearby, work is underway to restore power in your area.
Q: Do I need to report my outage again if it's already been reported?
A: Yes, it's helpful to report your outage again if power has been restored to your area but you're still without electricity. This helps us pinpoint isolated issues affecting specific homes.
Q: Why does it seem like it’s taking a long time to restore power?
A: After a storm, damage to our system can be extensive. Crews follow a careful, step-by-step process to safely restore power. This includes clearing debris, repairing lines, and ensuring that it’s safe to restore electricity to the entire system.
DEMCO is a locally owned electric cooperative with 117,600 meters serving members in seven southeast Louisiana parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, E. Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and W. Feliciana.
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