Central Alabama Electric Cooperative sent 12 linemen to Maryland on Aug. 28 to help restore power after Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast over the weekend.

According to an Aug. 29 press release, about 100,000 co-op members in Hughesville, Md., lost power because of high winds and flooding from the hurricane.

“Alabama is part of a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 electric cooperatives that come together to assist each other in times of disaster,” the press release said.

The linemen drove from Prattville to Maryland with three bucket trucks, three pickup trucks and three digger trucks to assist the Southern Maryland Electric Membership Corporation.

The release also said 40 additional utility workers with power-restoration equipment joined CAEC from the following electric cooperatives in Alabama: Dixie Electric Cooperative in Montgomery, Black Warrior Electric Membership Corporation in Demopolis, Pioneer Electric Cooperative in Greenville, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative in Talladega, Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative in Rainsville and Cullman Electric Cooperative in Cullman.