For immediate release

Jan. 29, 2009 — 2 p.m.

Situation called a 'winter war zone' for southern Missouri electric cooperatives

View the latest information about Missouri co-op systems affected by winter storms.

Electric cooperatives across southern Missouri continue to battle the effects of ice. The entire Bootheel region was in darkness Wednesday, and as of Thursday, Jan. 29, the situation was not much improved. Linemen are working both transmission lines as well as distribution lines.

Jim McCarty from Rural Missouri magazine reports that in some areas, he could not find a single utility pole standing in all directions.

Pemiscot-Dunklin Electric Cooperative, Hayti, reports virtually all of its system is still down. Ozark Border Electric Cooperative, Poplar Bluff, reported some progress in restoring electrical service, but outages still hover around 25,000. SEMO Electric Cooperative, Sikeston, has about 10,000 outages. In all, around 53,000 Missourians served by electric cooperatives are without power. Reports indicate the number of poles toppled or broken is the biggest issue right now.

In the south-central Ozarks, about 4,000 members of White River Valley Electric Cooperative, Branson, remain without power, primarily in Ozark County. Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative based in West Plains saw outage numbers decrease to around 6,000.

Crews at the affected systems are working around the clock to restore power. They are being assisted by hundreds of fresh crews from central and north Missouri. If necessary, additional support from other states will be requested.

Systems are asking people to plan for a long-term restoration effort. The cooperatives have enlisted hundreds of lineman and contractors to help with the work, and a plan is in place to rotate people in and out.

SAFETY REMINDER ­ Power lines are down in roadways and sagging overhead. We urge everyone to please use extreme caution around power lines. Ice on power lines makes an excellent insulator for conducting electricity and an extremely dangerous situation ­ do NOT assume a line is de-energized. Do not touch any downed lines. If power lines have fallen across a vehicle you are in, STAY IN THE VEHICLE AND CALL FOR HELP!

-30-

Editor's Note: For media inquiries, contact Jim McCarty at 573-680-2451