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2M customers still without power after Helene; some local grids must ‘be completely rebuilt’

Multiple utilities say they will need to completely rebuild, rather than repair, electric systems in the hardest-hit areas. Helene was the most destructive hurricane in Georgia Power’s history.
  • About 2 million electric customers remained without power across the U.S. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic on Monday morning after Hurricane Helene devastated utility systems last week, and some areas will require a full rebuild of energy infrastructure, utilities said.
  • The storm struck Florida as a Category 4, but only about 100,000 customers remained without power in the Sunshine State. In contrast, 750,000 were without power in South Carolina; 570,000 in Georgia; and 460,000 in North Carolina.
  • “There are lots of areas across the South Carolina Upstate and North Carolina mountains where we’re going to have to completely rebuild parts of our system, not just repair it,” Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy storm director for the Carolinas, said in a statement.

In total, Helene knocked out power for almost 6 million customers in 10 states, according to the Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities. Utilities say they cannot estimate restoration times, in some cases, because roads are impassable and grids must be reconstructed.

“Historic flooding, fallen trees and debris, and road and bridge closures continue to present major challenges in the hardest-hit areas and are limiting workers’ ability to assess damage and provide customers with estimates for when power is likely to be restored in those areas,” EEI said in a Sunday statement.

Along with the Carolinas and Georgia, there were outages in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

“Electric companies are working with local and state officials to gain access to these hard-hit areas and are using helicopters and drones to conduct damage assessments,” EEI said. “In some communities, storm damage was so catastrophic that energy infrastructure needs to be completely rebuilt before power can be restored.”

Continue reading at Utility Dive

For more on hurricane season and the utility industry, see how Duke Energy is strengthening the gridask yourself if you are making these heat related illness mistakes, and make sure you are stocked up on the must haves for storm season.

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At Tallman Equipment, our priority is to set the standard in the electrical transmission and distribution industry with an all-inclusive approach to serving our customers. We carry the best lineman tools and equipment from many of the top manufacturers in the business today. Our vision to deliver a trio of quality, convenience, and reliability is driven by listening and adapting to our customers’ needs. We work with our clients to ensure they find the right lineman tools and equipment for the job. For more information on any of the products we sell, give us a call today at 877-860-5666.

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When new equipment purchases aren’t an option, Tallman Equipment’s tool rental department is here to meet your shorter-term needs! We house a large inventory of the most commonly used equipment for the construction and maintenance of electrical transmission and distribution systems.

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We consider no tool to be outside the experience and training of our technicians. Some examples of commonly repaired tools include hydraulic, pneumatic, gas, and battery-powered equipment, stringing blocks, dynamometers, chain hoists, strap hoists, capstan hoists, and rope products.

Grounds & Jumpers
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Tallman Equipment has a full-service assembly department skilled in building and repairing custom grounds and jumpers. We can build customized grounds and jumpers to your specifications as quickly as a day. Our testing process meets ASTM standards

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Manufaturing & Rope Repair

Tallman leads the industry in developing and manufacturing transformer slings. Whatever your need may be, our trained and certified Master Splicer can build custom rope assemblies for unique applications, along with winch lines for buckets, diggers, bumper winches, and high strength tow ropes.

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Tallman offers complete repair and reconditioning of your fiberglass tools compliant with OSHA and ASTM standards. Our technicians can tackle all brands of hot sticks, conductor and support gins, ladders, extension arms, shotgun sticks, fixed sticks, and much more.

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Cleaning & Testing 

Tallman is now offering rubber goods testing and cleaning of linemen’s rubber gloves, blankets, sleeves, hoods, line hose, and hardcover. All testing and procedures conform to ASTM standards and involve thorough washing, visual inspection, dielectric testing, and date stamping.