OUC has once again earned the prestigious Restoring Communities Award from the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA). This recognition highlights our dedication to mutual aid and community resilience in times of emergencies. OUC has received this honor every year since the award’s launch in 2016.
The 2024 award underscores OUC’s critical support during one of Florida’s toughest hurricane seasons. Multiple storms led to OUC teams restoring power safely here in our community as well as in communities across Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana. During Hurricane Debby, OUC dispatched line technicians and a line truck to help the city of Williston (Levy County) recover. Later, as Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread damage, OUC crews assisted the cities of Gainesville and Williston after Helene. In Gainesville alone, 35,000 of the utility’s 100,600 customer accounts were left without power. The sheer volume of downed trees provided additional challenges to the 17-member team as they restored power. Additionally, OUC extended vital aid to Louisiana communities impacted by Hurricane Francine with an additional 17-member team.
The award also recognizes OUC’s ongoing contributions to strengthening public power infrastructure and improving reliability across the network. It also serves as a reminder of OUC’s commitment to restoring power and hope when it’s needed most.