Monday, a five-man crew from Central Rural Electric Cooperative traveled to Hollis, Okla., to aid Harmon Electric Cooperative and Tuesday, a four-man crew traveled to Walters, Okla., to aid Cotton Electric Cooperative.

Bryan Payne, David Johns, Jeff Denton and Clint Robinson traveled to Walters to help restore power to more than 21,000 cooperative members. The CREC crew will help repair downed lines and restore power.

We are excited to go,” Payne said. “We are excited to be able to help others.”

CREC was fortunate to sustain minimal damage from the snow and ice, and know that during disasters such as this, the true cooperative spirit is displayed.

It is during times like this that we come together to help our neighbors,” Denton said. “They will be there for us, so we must be there for them.”

CREC crews will continue to help the cooperatives located in southwest Oklahoma until all power is restored. There is not a time frame, however, if the crews are absent for more than two weeks, CREC will relieve the men and send others in their place.

“When people are standing on their porches, waving good-bye and crying because they are so excited to have power, it makes it well worth it,” Robinson said.