Horry County Linemen Return from Epic Hurricane Relief Journey
In a heartfelt reunion, employees from Horry Electric Cooperative have returned home after a challenging but rewarding adventure in Western South Carolina. These brave linemen headed out to provide aid in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Helene, and on Thursday, they sat down to share their incredible stories about the experience.
“The Worst I’ve Ever Experienced”
Phillip McClellan, a lineman with Horry Electric, reflected on the difficult conditions they faced. “It tore all the pieces. It was probably one of the worst that I have been on,” he said, emphasizing the magnitude of the destruction they encountered.
The difficulty of their mission began even before they reached the disaster zone. “It was a job in itself to even make it to where we needed to be,” McClellan added. With gas stations closed and felled trees littering the roadways, their journey was far from easy. Fellow lineman Chad Tyler noted, “When we got to the secondary roads, there were people cutting the way through for vehicles to get there, so I knew it was going to be bad.”
54 Heroes in Action
A total of 54 employees from Horry Electric were deployed to lend a hand in the recovery effort, a testament to the cooperative spirit in the face of adversity. Typically, their missions focus on restoring power, but this time, the scenario was drastically different.
“The Entire System was Destroyed”
Supervisor Franklin Williams explained the shocking extent of the damage: “The entire system, north to south, was destroyed, so overall their damage was way more than what we’ve ever experienced here since I’ve been here.” To put it in perspective, he mentioned that the Little River grid was an astounding 96% out, meaning they essentially had to rebuild it from scratch.
A Community That Cares
Despite the harsh conditions, the linemen were deeply touched by the kindness and concern of the local community. They shared stories of people asking if they had enough food, water, and even socks. The warmth of the community stood out amidst the turmoil, showing that even in the darkest times, there’s light in human compassion.
“Eye-Opening” Experiences
Williams described the experience as “eye-opening” and even “kind of scary.” The challenges faced were not only physical but also emotional, especially since communication was sporadic due to the storm’s aftermath. This lack of connection made it even tougher for the linemen, who looked forward to hearing from their families back home.
Fortunately, the linework families played a vital role in their resilience. McClellan shared, “My wife was actually raised in a line work family, so it makes it a whole lot easier.” Having that support system lessened the burden during such a high-pressure situation.
Ready to Help Again
Despite the strenuous nature of this response effort, the Horry Electric team stands ready to assist again whenever they are called upon. “Us linemen are always looking for the next storm to help out our next community,” Tyler stated, showcasing their unwavering commitment to service.
This deployment also marked the first time that employees not traditionally on the front lines were sent to help coordinate the storm recovery efforts, highlighting the necessity for teamwork in these trying times.
Conclusion
As these linemen continue to share their stories and experiences, they remind us of the strength and dedication found in communities that come together to weather the storm. From the dark clouds of disaster emerges a bond of support and the promise of recovery, fueled by the heroes like those from Horry Electric.
