NEWS RELEASE

Date:  August 26, 2011

Contact:  Andrew Packett, 804-333-6132  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Prepares for Hurricane Irene

-- Members cautioned to prepare for Hurricane Irene

-- Updated information to be available via www.nnec.coop

Hurricane Irene's approach to Virginia has NNEC's linemen and staff preparing equipment and facilities for emergency restoration work over the next several days.  Members who live near the Chesapeake Bay are cautioned to take the necessary steps to weather the storm before it hits.

NNEC's emergency operations control team was activated Tuesday to begin preparations for Hurricane Irene. Line trucks are fueled up with extra supplies loaded, generators and fuel tanks have been filled to capacity, equipment and supply vendors as well as contractor crews are on stand-by and line crews from other electric co-ops await NNEC's phone call for assistance. Food and housing accommodations are prepared for visiting crews as needed. Personnel will be monitoring the electric system throughout the storm.

NNEC President and CEO Greg White noted, "We have been so fortunate to have such understanding members as we worked restoring power in previous storms. We ask our members to have the same patience if Hurricane Irene causes the large number of outages as might be expected. Our main goal after a storm like this is to restore power to our members as quickly and safely as possible."

Outage information will be updated on NNEC's web site at www.nnec.coop/outages and with press releases forwarded to the local radio and television stations. Visit NNEC's web site to review the storm checklist and make the necessary preparations at http://www.nnec.coop/  .

Stay away from any downed power line, tree on the line or anything touching a line. Notify NNEC of any downed power lines, trees on the line, or a power outage by calling 333-3621 or 800-243-2860. Using the automated telephone system is the quickest way to report an outage or downed power line.