Cooperative Principle #6 is "Cooperation Among Cooperatives" and members of HOEC saw that last week! More than 110 additional linemen answered the call when tornadoes moved through our service area, leaving more than 6,000 members without power and more than 400 poles down or damaged. Coordinated through the state association, linemen came from the northern-most reaches of the state to assist. It truly takes a team and the cooperative group, across the state is a great team. (photos below)

Friday night, March 14, 2025, a tornado touched down near Bakersfield in southeastern Ozark County. It continued north east skirting the south side of West Plains and continuing into Oregon County causing damage near Rover and Thomasville areas.

As the tornadoes moved north-northeast across the service area, power outage reports rolled in rapidly. Early Saturday morning, the highest number was around 6,300 members without power.