After Winter Storm Fern

Winter Storm Fern brought snow, freezing rain and high winds that led to nearly a million power outages across 19 states earlier this year. Atmospheric conditions in several states caused ice buildup that brought down trees and branches and caused massive ice loading on power lines. And when Winter Storm Fern moved through Louisiana, DEMCO crews answered the call to help restore power beyond our service area.In this episode of Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, host David Latona sits down with District Manager Andy Graham and Lineman Justin Andrews, who recently returned from assisting Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative through the electric cooperative mutual aid network.They share what it’s like to get the call, prepare to deploy, and work long days in freezing conditions on a system that isn’t their own. From safety briefings and equipment staging to meeting host crews and navigating unfamiliar lines, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at storm restoration from the men in the field.You’ll hear how different types of storms create different challenges, why safety is part of every decision, and what cooperative mutual aid truly means for electric cooperatives.It’s a candid conversation about the preparation, coordination, and teamwork required to restore power — and what it means to serve as part of an electric cooperative.