Four dedicated lineworkers from Meeker Cooperative recently returned from an extended mutual aid mission
to assist with hurricane recovery efforts in the Southeast following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The team, in collaboration with Stearns Electric, initially deployed to South Carolina but extended their mission to aid in Florida, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to support communities severely impacted by both storms. Their tireless efforts helped restore power and bring a sense of normalcy back to the region.
Luke Johnson, CEO/General Manager of Meeker Cooperative, and Electric Operations Manager Dan Schrupp led the decision to deploy the team, emphasizing the Cooperative’s commitment to Cooperative Principle #6, “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.” Schrupp noted, “We have a strong tradition of helping communities in need. When a storm hits elsewhere, we support recovery efforts knowing that others would assist us in our time of need.”
The Meeker team—John Grabow, Underground Foreman; Logan Josephson, Overhead Foreman; Brandon Skalberg, Journey Lineworker; and Nate Glimsdal, Journey Lineworker—departed on October 2, 2024, to assist at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in Pickens, South Carolina, one of the hardest-hit areas. They worked on replacing broken poles and reinstalling conductor lines, helping to restore power to nearly 66,000 homes out of Blue Ridge’s 71,000 members in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s widespread damage.
Josephson reflected on the challenges of working in South Carolina’s rural terrain, with narrow, winding roads and limited access. “There wasn’t a straight road to be found. Everything was hilly, which made it hard to move our equipment,” he explained. Despite these obstacles, the team made significant progress in restoring infrastructure.
Upon completion of their work in South Carolina, the team prepared to head home. However, as Hurricane Milton ravaged Florida, leaving 3 million people without power, Meeker Cooperative’s lineworkers quickly shifted plans and headed directly to Peace River Electric Cooperative in Wauchula, Florida. Arriving just as the storm approached, they rode out the hurricane positioning themselves to respond immediately once conditions allowed. 29-06-201 As one of the first out-of-state crews on the scene, their work involved replacing numerous poles, reconnecting downed conductors, and navigating widespread damage amidst fallen trees and debris.
The extreme conditions in Florida required different approaches. “In Florida, the heat and humidity added another layer of difficulty, and nearly all the poles we worked with were concrete,” said Skalberg. Despite these challenges, the team worked seamlessly alongside over 1,000 linemen from across the U.S. and Canada.
On October 15, after nearly two weeks of intense recovery efforts across two states, the team returned home to Minnesota. The lineworkers noted the warm reception they received from local residents, many of whom expressed gratitude for their swift action. “Helping a community recover, especially under such challenging conditions, is deeply meaningful for all of us,” said Grabow. Meeker Cooperative is proud to have assisted in this mutual aid effort and will be ready to support recovery efforts whenever communities need it most in the future.