TALLADEGA, Ala. – Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, which serves more than 17,000 consumers in Talladega, St. Clair, Shelby, Clay, Etowah and Calhoun counties, may need to disconnect power in areas where flooding can occur, according to a Monday afternoon alert from the company.
CVEC’s advisory noted that the cooperative is closely monitoring the rains moving through its service territory this week and the potential for flooding. Approximately 800 consumers along Logan Martin Lake, the Coosa River, and several creeks that feed into both of those bodies of water could be affected beginning as early as Tuesday morning.
“Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, and power lines left energized in flooded areas create a deadly hazard,” said CVEC General Manager Leland Fuller.
The National Weather Service has placed the majority of the CVEC service area in a Severe Risk category for flooding, with up to six inches of rain in many areas. Severe weather is also predicted on Wednesday.
“If the weather does turn severe Wednesday, we face potential widespread power outages,” Fuller added. “The ground will be saturated from days of rain. This will make it easier for the wind to push trees into our power lines.”
Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative officials urge consumers to remain weather-aware. In particular, individuals living in areas prone to flooding should also be mindful of docks, piers, boathouses, shops, and other structures. Downed power lines or other hazardous conditions should be reported to 9-1-1.
