January 27, 2026 – On Tuesday morning, three of our AEMC crews were sent to Habersham EMC to provide storm relief after their system was heavily impacted by Winter Storm Fern. This is what our linemen do. Once things are secure at home—once our own members are safe and service is stable—our crews are ready to lace up their boots and answer the call for help. Winter storms don’t respect service territories, and neither does the commitment shared by electric cooperatives. When one co-op is hurting, others step in.
Winter Storm Fern brought difficult conditions across North Georgia, leaving downed lines, damaged equipment and widespread outages. For Habersham EMC, the work ahead was urgent and demanding. Our crews joined others from across the cooperative network, bringing skilled hands, experience and a shared mission: restore power safely and as quickly as possible.
Mutual aid is more than an agreement—it’s a mindset. It’s rooted in the cooperative principle of cooperation among cooperatives, and it’s one of the things that truly sets co-ops apart. Whether the challenge is a winter storm, a hurricane or severe thunderstorms, electric cooperatives show up for one another every time.
For our linemen, this work often means long hours, tough weather and time away from family. They do it without hesitation because they understand what electricity means to the communities they serve—heat in the winter, light in the dark and peace of mind during uncertain times.
We’re proud of our crews for representing AEMC with professionalism, grit and heart. Their willingness to help a neighboring co-op in need reflects the very best of who we are and why the cooperative model continues to matter.
To our linemen in the field: thank you for your dedication and for carrying the cooperative spirit wherever the work takes you.