After Hurricane Helene’s unrelenting strike on western North Carolina, a courageous team of Piedmont Electric Cooperative line technicians stepped forward, leaving behind their families and homes to restore hope and power to storm-battered communities.
Overcoming washed-out roads, treacherous terrain and working for days with limited access to power and supplies, these line technicians demonstrated resilience, persevering through 16-hour shifts and tackling extensive restoration efforts in difficult, unpredictable conditions. Their determination to help exemplifies the spirit of service and the strength of mutual aid, which has become a lifeline for co-op communities in their time of need.
Hurricane Helene blew through North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 27. The next day, five Piedmont line technicians deployed to Haywood EMC, which is headquartered in Waynesville about 30 miles west of Asheville, to assist in power restoration. Just two days later, four additional Piedmont line technicians set out for French Broad EMC located in Marshall, about 25 miles north of Asheville.
Each crew worked tirelessly for 14 days, battling unforgiving conditions to bring power back to local members. As the first crew from French Broad returned, another four Piedmont line technicians, embarked for an additional two-week restoration effort.
Initial Impressions: “Pray and get to work.”
Reflecting on their experiences, our staff recounted the destruction they encountered upon arrival, with floodwaters having washed away power poles, power lines and entire sections of infrastructure.
One Piedmont line technician, who went to Haywood EMC, described the scene as overwhelming, especially as they navigated surging rivers and debris-laden landscapes. “We had to adjust not only to the aftermath of the hurricane but to the challenges posed by high water levels and fast currents,” he said.
A Piedmont crew member, who also worked in Haywood EMC’s service area, immediately knew that normalcy might be something that these people would not see for a long time. “Seeing the extent of the devastation, I realized that restoring power would take far longer than I had anticipated,” he said.
When another line technician was asked how he and his team prepared to tackle the damage, he responded, “We all just prayed. When a disaster hits this hard, there’s no way to truly prepare — you just pray and get to work.”
Logistical Challenges: “A powerful reminder of what we can achieve together.”
The crews faced additional challenges because of the differences in equipment. Piedmont Electric’s tandem axle trucks, built for less mountainous terrain, were less maneuverable than French Broad and Haywood EMC’s single-axle vehicles, adding to the difficulty of reaching affected areas. Yet, the Piedmont crews adapted, driven by their commitment to restoring power and normalcy for communities in crisis.
“We were there to help another electric cooperative restore power to their members, but they operate differently,” another line technician explained. “Understanding Haywood EMC’s safety protocols and maintaining strong communication with their team was essential to ensure we were working as safely and efficiently as possible.”
With numerous crews working on the same circuits, coordination was key. “Even if Piedmont’s crew finished repairs, we had to make sure no one re-energized the circuit until all crews were clear,” he explained. This diligent communication helped protect everyone involved in the challenging restoration efforts.
One line technician expressed deep appreciation for the collaborative efforts among the various co-op and contract crews, all united in the goal of restoring power and hope. “Everyone was working with the same determination,” he reflected. “It’s a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together, even in the face of overwhelming loss.”
Helping an Appreciative People: “People who have lost everything were still willing to give you anything.”
One of the most challenging aspects for another line technician and his crew was the feeling that no matter how hard they worked, there was so much more work to be done. While restoring power in a residential neighborhood, they encountered a family with a terminally ill son.
Though the family’s home was still standing, their expressions showed the strain of waiting for power amid such hardship. “It’s a different kind of grind when you see families who’ve lost so much,” he said. “Restoring power is my job, but I wanted to do and give so much more in moments like that.”
The response from residents was remarkable. One line technician encountered a member at French Broad EMC who had been without power for two weeks and planned to drive two hours just to take a shower. For this member, having power restored the day after his birthday was the best gift he could have asked for.
While working in one neighborhood, children ran up to the crew to thank them, some with tears in their eyes. “Seeing the gratitude on their faces made me reflect,” another crew member said. “People who have lost everything were still willing to give you everything just to show their appreciation. It’s truly humbling.”
Others echoed this sentiment.
“Despite all they’d been through, people were constantly helping each other and even us, the crews working to get their power back. They offered whatever they could spare — food, water, even the clothes off their backs,” one of our line technicians explained. “Everyone we met understood that restoring power was just one part of rebuilding their lives, and they were grateful for each small victory along the way.”
Another crew member also spoke of the warmth and gratitude of the community that lifted the crews’ spirits. “One morning, a family brought us fresh cinnamon rolls with a note that read, ‘Thank you all for your hard work. Praying God blesses each one of you!’ That was one of the first hot meals we’d had that week, and it was such a meaningful gesture,” he said.
The experience left the Piedmont Electric crews deeply appreciative of the comforts of home and more committed than ever to serving their communities. Even after their return, they will forever carry with them the powerful memory of a community’s resilience, and the indelible impact of their mutual aid work in western North Carolina — a testament to the unity that can arise even in the face of profound loss.