SAM HOUSTON EC SENDS A BIG THANK-YOU
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Sam Houston Electric Cooperative has energized the entirety of its system. Power has been restored to all members who are able to safely receive service. If you have repaired a damaged meter loop and are ready to receive service, or if you experience an outage for any reason, please call our office, 1(800) 458-0381.
09.25.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 8 A.M.
As of 8 a.m. this morning, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative has energized the entirety of its system. Power has been restored to all members able (99.7%) to safely receive service. The remaining percentage is due to isolated cases. If you have not received power, please call our office, 1(800) 458-0381.
09.24.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 8 A.M.
As of 8 a.m. this morning, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative reached 97.8% power restoration.
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09.23.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 7 P.M.
As another day of progress ends, 95% of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution system has been restored after being completely devastated by Hurricane Ike just over a week ago.
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09.23.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 10 A.M.
As of 10 a.m. this morning, 90.6% of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution system has been restored.
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LET CREWS CLEAN AND REPAIR
As progress is being made to restore power to Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's system, please remember to practice electrical safety. ALWAYS assume lines are energized. Please be mindful of the safety of our crews, and avoid distracting them. Crews have come in from all over the United States to help the Co-op, so please let them do what they do best.
SAM HOUSTON EC URGES SAFE GENERATOR USE
In the wake of Hurricane Ike, people should exercise extreme caution when operating portable generators, warns Sam Houston Electric Cooperative.
“These generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous,” said Keith Stapleton, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s Chief Communications Officer.
The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are “backfeeding” power into the electric system, electric shock, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, and fire. Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use.
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09.22.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 7 P.M.
At the end of day ten of Hurricane Ike restoration, 90.2% of Sam Houton Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution system has been restored.
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09.22.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 2 P.M.
As of 2 p.m. today, 88.8% of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution system has been restored.
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09.22.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 8 A.M.
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative has restored 86.4% of its electrical distribution system as of 8 a.m. this morning.
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09.21.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 7 P.M.
At the end of day eight of restoration from devastating Hurricane Ike, 83% of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution system has been restored.
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09.21.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 3:30 P.M.
As of 3:30 p.m. today, 80% of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution system has been restored.
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09.20.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 8 P.M.
One week from the devastating landfall of Hurricane Ike, Sam Houston Electric Coopeartive, with the aid of a force of more than 3000 crew members, has restored 75% of its electrical distribution system.
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09.20.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 10 A.M.
As of 9 a.m., 61.8% of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution system has been restored.
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09.19.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 7 P.M.
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative continues to make significant progress each day restoring power to its 66,000 meters devastated after Hurricane Ike. Less than one week after a storm twice as devastating as Hurricane Rita in 2005 passed through the Co-op's service territory, nearly 53.3% of the Cooperative's electrical distribution system has been restored.
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09.19.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 11 A.M.
Beginning the day with 33.5% power restored, Sam Houston Electric Coopeartive reached nearly 50% power restoration just a few hours later.
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 09.18.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 7 P.M.
Governor Rick Perry paid a visit to Sam Houston Electric Cooperative to show his appreciation for the long hours and hard work being put into restoring power to the Co-op’s system after a devastating blow by Hurricane Ike.
”The cooperative folks and Entergy are doing a whale of a job getting power back on,” Governor Rick Perry said. “Be patient. This is not our first rodeo.”
Five days after a storm twice as devastating as Hurricane Rita in 2005 passed through Sam Houston EC’s service territory, approximately 33% of the Co-op’s electrical distribution system has been restored. With the aid of nearly 3000 crewmembers from around the United States, as well as County and State Emergency Operations Centers, significant progress continues to be the outcome of each day.
“This spirit of cooperation makes me proud to be a Texan and proud to be associated with those who know how to get things done,” Perry said.
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09.18.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 10 A.M.
Overnight, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative brought nearly 3000 more meters online from last night's report. Approximately 27% of Sam Houston EC's electrical distribution system has been restored.
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09.17.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 9 P.M.
Four days after the devastating landfall of Hurricane Ike, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative has restored power to more than 15,000 of its 66,000 meters. With the aid of nearly 3000 crewmembers from around the United States, close to 23% of Sam Houston EC’s distribution system has been energized.
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09.17.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 10:30 A.M.
"Texas, we're here!" That was the message painted on a convoy of trucks from New Jersey thundering into East Texas this morning to join an army of nearly 3,000 rebuilding Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's electric distribution system.
As of 10 a.m. this morning, power has been restored to approximately 8,300 meters (close to 13%) of Sam Houston EC's system. County restoration: Angelina - 57%, Hardin - 4% and
Polk - 37%.
To read this morning's full update, click here.
 09.16.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 10:30 P.M.
Significant progress was made today in Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s service territory. With the assistance of over 2500 crew members from across the United States, the Co-op began to see power restored to areas of its system. Lines have been repaired in several areas, some are energized and receiving power, and others are repaired and ready to receive electricity once generation facilities are up and transmission lines are rebuilt as well.
Several areas throughout Polk County (4.1%) began receiving power today. Angelina (57%) and Hardin (4%) Counties also began receiving power by the end of day four of Hurricane Ike. By Thursday, 500 additional personnel will arrive to bring the total force to 3,000. Tent cities have been established in Coldspring, Tarkington and Woodville. Each houses and feeds 500. In Livingston, 700 workers are being housed at Lake Tomahawk and Camp Cho-Yeh. Sam Houston EC has committed this extraordinary number of resources in order to restore your power as quickly as possible.
09.16.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 11 A.M.
 As 2,500 dedicated personnel continue repairing damage caused by Ike, power is beginning to return to a few areas of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's service territory. These areas include some parts of Honey Island, Big Sandy, Huntington and Livingston. Because of extensive damage all over east Texas, we are being directed by the State to restore areas that serve priority loads first, such as hospitals, nursing homes and other critical infrastructure. Power to some homes and businesses surrounding these critical loads may come on as well.
As the transmission grid stabilizes, we will add more load. This process could take a few days to complete. As soon as conditions allow, we will energize additional areas. Sam Houston EC will post status reports in this location beginning tonight (Tuesday).
Please keep in mind that Hurricane Ike caused massive damage. More than 2 million Texans are currently without power. Even parts of Ohio are still being affected by outages related to Ike. Repairs in some of Sam Houston's severely hit areas could take up to three weeks. Sam Houston EC is working non-stop to restore our distribution system, while Entergy is doing the same to restore the transmission grid that delivers power to this part of Texas. We are committed to restoring your power as soon as possible.
09.15.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 10 P.M.
Since the restoration process began Saturday, thousands of trees have been removed, and many miles of line have been rebuilt. Power will begin returning to some areas in the next 24 hours. However, complete restoration could require up to three weeks.
Approximately 2500 crew members, 3000 by Thursday, from around the United States are aiding in the restoration of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s service territory after a devastating blow from Hurricane Ike. Progress reports will be posted as available beginning Tuesday evening in this location.
 09.15.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 11 A.M.
As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, significant progress has been made in removing trees and rebuilding power lines. More than 1,000 additional personnel are in the field today assisting with the effort. By Tuesday, the total workforce will include 2,500.
The Entergy Texas transmission grid, which delivers electricity to Sam Houston EC's distribution system, was severely damaged as well. As Sam Houston EC works to clear trees and repair distribution lines, Entergy is doing the same on their transmission system. At this time, 99 percent of Sam Houston EC's members are without power. Progress is steady. However, some severely damaged areas could be without power for three weeks.
Sam Houston EC members who were affected by Hurricane Rita in 2005 may recall that the cooperative began providing county-by-county status reports after power began coming back on toward the end of the first week. As transmission and distribution line repairs are completed and substations are re-energized, we will provide similar reporting throughout Hurricane Ike restoration efforts.
09.14.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 9 P.M.
Assessment teams, right-of-way and repair crews saturated Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s ten-county service territory Sunday finding damage to the system more extensive than was caused by Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Over 2000 crew members will be dispatched throughout the Cooperative’s service territory to begin repairing damaged poles and lines as well as removing trees and debris from Hurricane Ike’s impact on Saturday. Three tent cities are being constructed to house the army of workers, each holding 500 men. The remaining crews are being housed in local camps.
Aside from the widespread damage to the Cooperative’s system, Entergy's transmission grid, which feeds Sam Houston EC's distribution system, suffered extensive damage. With the additional help of crews from around the United States, the Co-op has made tremendous strides toward the restoration of power. A great deal of progress is expected over the next several days.
Based on Sunday’s damage assessments, there are severe cases that may take three weeks or more to fully restore power. Far more resources are being applied to this recovery effort than were available with Hurricane Rita three years ago.
As crews work through the system, updates will be posted on our Corporate Web site. Keep in mind, while it is not possible to provide an exact timeline for restoration, as the effort progresses, we will be able to provide additional details as they develop.
09.14.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 7:30 A.M.
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s power restoration efforts are in high gear. Crews spent much of Saturday clearing downed lines from roadways and assessing damage to the system. Damage assessment is continuing today (Sunday) by air and by ground.
Today, 725 additional workers are arriving, and by Wednesday more than 2,000 will be on hand to speed the recovery process. Visiting crews will be housed in local facilities, as well as in three tent cities, each capable of housing and feeding 500.
Thunderstorms are in the area again today, but damage assessment, tree removal and repairs are continuing. Along with our own Sam Houston EC vehicles, members may see service trucks in our area from other cooperatives and contractors across the United States.
09.13.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 3 P.M.
As Hurricane Ike moves out of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's service territory, all 66,000 meters are without power. Crews are moving out across the area to assess the damage. Critical infrastructure will be addressed as a top priority. More than 1,000 additional personnel are arriving over the next few days to aid in the restoration effort. That number will increase substantially as more crews are brought in.
Large tents and support facilities are being setup at Coldspring, Tarkington and Woodville. Additional accommodations have been made in other areas of Sam Houston EC's service territory as well, including Livingston.
09.13.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 7 A.M.
As of 6 a.m. this morning, 64,000 of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's 66,000 meters are without power, with hurricane winds blowing across its service territory.
More detailed information will be available as damage assessment progresses after the storm passes. Crews are staged and ready to begin restoration work as soon as it is safe to do so.
09.12.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 5:30 P.M.
With the landfall of Hurricane Ike approaching in the upcoming hours, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative remains ready to respond after the storm passes and when it is safe to do so.
Sam Houston EC would like to reiterate that NO plans have been made to preemptively disconnect power to any members. In the upcoming hours, if you experience a power outage, it is due to the storm, and you should call the Co-op to report your outage.
09.12.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 10 A.M.
As Hurricane Ike approaches Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's service territory, the Co-op has secured approximately 1300 crew members. They will be arriving in waves over the next few days, and more are available as needed. Food, lodging and fuel have been secured to support them, and the crews will be staged at locations throughout our service territory.
Sam Houston EC dispatch and cell center staff is available 24 hours a day as normal. As soon as it is safe to do so, crews will begin assessing the damage, begin removing trees and debris, and repairing damaged lines and poles.
09.12.08 HURRICANE IKE UPDATE 8 A.M.
Polk County Judge Thompson has issued a mandatory limited evacuation. The limited areas include flood-prone low-lying areas, mobile homes and travel trailers, and sub-standard housing. Please contact the Polk County Emergency Operations Center for more information at 936.327.6826.
09.10.08 SAM HOUSTON EC PREPARES FOR HURRICANE IKE
As Hurricane Ike approaches the Texas coastline, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative is enabling its emergency operations plan. Although precise landfall is unpredictable at this time, the necessary planning and precautions are being taken to respond to the potential impact of Hurricane Ike.
Sam Houston EC crews have returned from Louisiana, where they provided assistance to service territories affected by recent Hurricane Gustav. Co-op crews as well as contract crews will be available should there be outages due to the storm. |
