Santee Cooper Continuing Preparation for More Winter Weather
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Santee Cooper personnel continue to make preparations for the anticipated effects that forecasted winter weather, including freezing rain and possibly sleet and snow, may have on Santee Cooper’s customers. Approximately 2 million South Carolinians depend on the state-owned electric and water utility as their power source, either directly or through the state’s electric cooperatives.
As of 8 a.m. today, Santee Cooper went to a OpCon 3 alert status. This means there is a significant threat to Santee Cooper’s electric system, but effects are still uncertain. At OpCon 3, the utility is continuing to check and fuel vehicles, including line trucks, ensure communications equipment is in proper working order, check inventory, and procure supplies as needed, such as utility poles, electric transformers and associated equipment.
Santee Cooper will be opening its Emergency Operations Center in Moncks Corner, area storm centers, and increasing staffing in transmission and distribution control centers to support any restoration activities. The utility also is securing additional contract crews and helicopter support.
“Santee Cooper crews are ready to begin repairs as soon as we possibly can, should the weather impact our customers,” said Mike Poston, Chief Customer Officer. “We also have contract crews on standby should we need more hands in restoration.”
Residential and commercial customers can report outages at stormcenter.santeecooper.com or by calling 888-769-7688. Customers also can find information on storm safety, including generator and downed power line safety, at Santee Cooper’s Storm Center.
