We’re Moving…Temporarily!

Starting Monday, September 15, 2025, our Wewahitchka office will be located in a temporary location (637 Highway 22) while our new headquarters office is constructed. We look forward to continuing to serve you during this transition. Thank you for your patience and support as we build a new, improved space...
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637 Highway 22 Wewahitchka, FL 32465

Turning the Lights Back On After Winter Storm Fern

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative crew members prepare to depart for Laurens Electric Cooperative on January 24 to assist with power restoration efforts following Winter Storm Fern. From left, bottom row, are Owen Hendrix, Wesley Newsome, Trent Payne, Logan Joyner, Jackson Gambrell, Tucker Barfield, Matthew Fleming, Chad Creamer, Tyler Whitten, Frankie Bailey, Shane Kriser, Eric Tyus, and Chad Flowers. From left, top row, are Connor Grath, Logan Richards, Kaleb Shiver, and Lane Adkins.

A large and expansive winter storm swept across parts of the Southeast from January 23 through January 27, testing electric utilities and underscoring the importance of mutual aid agreements among cooperatives.

Winter Storm Fern, as it has been unofficially referred to by The Weather Channel, brought freezing temperatures, ice, and heavy winds that damaged power infrastructure and caused widespread outages for Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association in Mississippi and Laurens Electric Cooperative in South Carolina.

Downed lines and icy conditions slowed restoration efforts as crews worked to safely reach affected areas.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative responded by sending mutual aid crews. 1 crew was dispatched to Laurens Electric Cooperative, while 2 crews were sent to Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association to help repair damaged lines and restore service to members.

The additional personnel and equipment accelerated restoration efforts as local crews worked extended hours under challenging conditions.

GCEC lineworkers Jackson, left, and Tucker prepare to assist Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association with power restoration efforts on February 1.

Cooperative officials say the assistance highlights the value of the mutual aid network, which allows electric cooperatives to quickly support one another during major weather events.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative regularly participates in mutual aid efforts across the region, providing trained crews when neighboring systems are impacted by storms, hurricanes, or other emergencies.