Earth viewed from afar has a
serene quality, an orb afloat in a sea of space, its bluish cast providing
benign cover to the sometimes-violent dramas playing out at ground level,
both man-made and meteorological.
There was no such benign cover, though, on Monday, Oct.
29, as satellite images of Earth showed a massive, menacing storm, 1.8
million square miles in size, on the verge of grinding over and through a
huge swath of the Eastern U.S., from the mid-Atlantic to the Ohio Valley,
over to New England, and even into Canada. With twice the kinetic energy of
the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Hurricane Sandy would make its mark
both on the record books, and on the landscape, principally the New Jersey
Shore.
Dubbed a �superstorm� because of its sheer physical size,
Sandy�s footprint was as broad as it was bruising, with winds of more than
60 mph felt up to 500 miles away. Its arrival just before Halloween and the
awe-inspiring range of its destructive power � from torrential rains in the
east to 3-foot snowdrifts in West Virginia � prompted another, eerily apt,
name: �Frankenstorm.�
Sandy thus entered the hurricane rogue�s gallery, joining
such ferocious forebears as Hazel and Hugo, Agnes and Andrew, Camille and
Katrina, Isabel and Irene. Through them all, electric cooperatives have
worked tightly together to restore service to their customer-owners. As one
cooperative finishes restoring power, its crews go to other cooperatives, to
assist in their restoration efforts. Such mutual assistance embodies what a
cooperative is all about: the many joining together as one, in common cause,
for the benefit of all.
Large investor-owned electric utilities, of course, have
similar mutual-aid arrangements with each other. The ferocity of Sandy�s
fury, though, prompted a wider call for help. Virginia�s electric
cooperatives answered that call. And so shortly after restoring power to
their own customer-owners, 136 linemen from eight Virginia electric
cooperatives headed north to New Jersey, most in a convoy of red and white
and yellow trucks, a colorful caravan with a somber mission.
They were received warmly, and treated well, by the
grateful citizens up there. We�re pleased to share some of the heartfelt
thanks that customers of Jersey Central Power & Light sent by mail or posted
online. We also include a few of the countless notes of encouragement posted
online by folks back home. These letters from home, and away, boosted the
spirits of these dedicated �wood walkers,� as they braved difficult and
dangerous conditions to bring power and light and heat to those who needed
it.
We are very grateful for all the help that came our
way. I also want to thank the families that have been patiently waiting at
home for the workers to return. (From a New Jersey resident, about
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative crews.)
We appreciate all the hard work you guys put in to get
us up and running! You guys are such hard workers and we could tell you all
cared about us. Thank you, and your families that you had to leave behind to
come and help us! (From a New Jersey couple, about Prince George
Electric Cooperative crews.)
(T)he sight of your crews methodically working so hard
up and down our roads for our benefit was truly humbling and very much
appreciated. As we couldn�t do more than stop to thank them as we drove by,
we wanted to send you a note of gratitude and hope you communicate with them
and let them know how much their tireless work was appreciated.
(From a New Jersey couple, about Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
crews.)
Thank you, Thank you! Please let your staff know how
much we love them and all the hard work they do to keep our lights on. They
risk their lives for us and it does not go un-seen ... If anyone needs a hot
cup of coffee, stop by. (From a customer-owner of Northern Virginia
Electric Cooperative.)
So proud of our men. We need to give them a thank u
party! (From a customer-owner of Northern Neck Electric
Cooperative.)
Good luck to all you guys as you help others restore
their electricity. We know it isn�t an easy job. Prayers are with you for
safety and good health. (From a customer-owner of Rappahannock
Electric Cooperative.)
All the people were as nice as
could be ... We were offered the use of the peoples� shower facilities and
some made pizzas for all of us. (From a line crew worker at
Community Electric Cooperative, on the wonderful treatment of the Virginia
crews by New Jersey residents.)
Postscript: All 136 linemen
from Virginia returned home safely to their families, after providing
exemplary service to those in need. The cooperative spirit is alive, and
well.
