We thank and honor the extraordinary individuals who, at nature’s worst, showed their best. The record-breaking 2020 hurricane season has officially ended, after producing 30 named storms, 13 of which became hurricanes, including 6 major hurricanes. (For comparison, an average season brings 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.) This is the most storms on record, surpassing the 28 in 2005, and the second-highest number of hurricanes on record. And every storm hit on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly and constantly impacting lineworker response protocol. Despite all these challenges, public power showed up.
It was a tough storm season all around, and it revealed the true, committed soul of our public power utilities. In times of crisis, the ElectriCities Emergency Assistance Program provides a network of support, bringing public power workers together to restore, rebuild, and get the power back on safely. We all work together to organize restoration efforts and ensure those efforts are directed exactly where they’re needed.
During every hurricane season, our member communities’ mutual aid assistance is outstanding. But we know that’s just when it takes center stage – public power teams go above and beyond all year long to help their fellow communities.
We extend our wholehearted congratulations and appreciation to the following American Public Power Association 2020 Mutual Aid Commendation Award recipients!
- The City of Concord provided aid to the Town of Drexel.
- Fayetteville Public Works Commission provided aid to the City of Morganton.
- The City of Gastonia provided aid to the Town of Dallas and the Town of Drexel.
- The City of High Point provided aid to the City of Danville, VA, Lafayette Utilities System, LA, the City of New Bern, SLEMCO, LA, Sevier County Electric System, TN, and the City of Statesville.
- The City of Kings Mountain provided aid to the Town of Granite Falls.
- The City of Monroe provided aid to the City of Newton.
- The City of Newton provided aid to the Town of Maiden and the City of Morganton.
- The City of Rocky Mount provided aid to the Town of Belhaven, the City of Danville, VA, SLEMCO, LA, the City of St. Martinsville, LA, Sevier County Electric System, TN, and the City of Washington.
- The City of Shelby provided aid to the City of Statesville.
- The City of Statesville provided aid to the City of New Bern, Lafayette Utilities System, LA, and Sevier County Electric System, TN.
- The Town of Tarboro provided aid to the Town of Edenton and the Town of Scotland Neck.
- The City of Wake Forest provided aid to the City of Lexington, Lafayette Utilities System, LA, SLEMCO, LA, the City of Statesville, and the Town of Windsor.
- Wilson Energy provided aid to the City of Washington, Duke Energy, and Knoxville Utilities Board, TN.