It has always been said that there are two guarantees in life -- taxes and death.  But there is also another -- storms.

Figuratively, just about all of us have storms in life when we encounter obstacles and disappointments -- whether this be the death of a loved one, being unable to reach goals or dreams, loss of a relationship or job, or unexpected expenses that drain our resources.  Most of the time these storms hit when we're unguarded and we're taken by surprise.

These types of storms can be difficult to overcome, and usually we need the assistance of friends, family or clergy to climb out of the darkness the storm has caused.

But storms can also be literal -- such as the storms that hit north Alabama late last month.  These storms also hit unawares and, like emotional storms, are difficult to overcome.

When you see someone you care about -- or even someone you just read about in the news -- encountering a storm, our first reaction (after "thank God it's not me") is to offer help in some way.  Donations are pouring in from many people and places those in north Alabama with their losses.

Unlike many places in the world, Alabama people have stepped up to help their own.  It could be a "southern thing" -- or it could be a "Christian thing" -- but one thing is certain, Alabamians saw what needed to be done, and we just did it.

That's the way it is with electric cooperatives as well.  When we see one of our own -- another electric cooperative -- in need, we step up to the plate and offer assistance.  WEC sent two crews to Marshall-DeKalb EC in Boaz and one crew to Black Warrior EMC in Demopolis to assist with electrical restoration.  In many instances, what these lineworkers put back up couldn't be energized until transmission lines were rebuilt.  In many instances, there was nothing left to rebuild to.  In some cases, they had to build across a mile of devestation to return electricity to the other side.

And this is the reason WEC has an Emergency Restoration Plan (ERP) and practices it each year. It's almost impossible to anticipate every storm that can come our way, but we have prepared for the ones we can think of.  And you can be assured what when we do encounter those storms -- other electric co-ops will be there to step up to the plate and give us the assistance we will need just like we have with other co-ops. 

Neighbors helping neighbors.  That's just our way!