Katrina Report by American MainStreet Publications

Katrina AUGUST 29, 2005

HURRICANE

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi

This booklet produced by the

Cooperative Services Division and the

Safety and Loss Control Division Hobson Waits Executive Vice President/CEO Ron Stewart Senior Vice President, Cooperative Srevices Stan Rucker Vice President, Safety & Loss Control

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi P.O. Box 3300 Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 601.605.8600

The following pages contain the contributions and activities of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi during the worst natural disaster in American history.

Electric Cooperatives a network of help...when in need. Mississippiâ€™s 26 electric power associations routinely join forces to speed restoration of electric service during emergency situations. That kind of cooperation is fundamental to electric cooperatives. Crews from across the state and beyond helped restore power to electric power association members in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Statewide Facts The 25 distribution electric power associations: n Serve more than 704,000 electric meters n Energize a total of 87,811 miles of lines n Employ 2,729 Mississippians n Serve 52 percent of the electric meters in the state n Serve 85 percent of the landmass in the state

Timeline

Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Mississippi on Monday morning, August 29, 2005. n Two days after storm hit, approximately 25% of affected meters were restored; five days after storm, approximately 50% of affected meters were restored; and 10 days after storm, more than 75% of affected meters were restored. n On September 20, 2005, three weeks after the storm, all power was restored to customers capable of safely receiving power. n

Restoration Facts More than 71 percent, or 497,000 meters, lost electric service. All 25 distribution electric power associations reported outages. n Outside emergency assistance was needed for 19 systems. n Nine systems lost all electric service. n South Mississippi EPA, a generation and transmission cooperative that serves 11 systems, lost power to 198 of its 240 substations. n The projected restoration time was up to six weeks. n More than 10,000 emergency work crew members were involved in restoration efforts, including employees of Mississippiâ€™s 26 electric power associations and emergency work crews from 22 states. n The states assisting in the restoration effort were Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas, New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma and Michigan. n n

COMMUNICATIONS The statewide staff maintained communications with members of the media and government officials throughout the storm period. Information was provided daily, from announcing the activation of our statewide emergency work plan until full restoration was completed. - Conducted interviews with the Mississippi Network and the Paul Gallo radio show, broadcast on six radio stations, covering most of Mississippi. Also, participated in several live interviews with television and radio stations, providing updates and safety information. - Remained in daily contact with Governor Barbourâ€™s office and provided timely information to his office along with the Senate and House of Representatives. - Produced and distributed daily updates/news releases to media throughout the state and nation. In addition, conducted several telephone interviews with newspapers. Many newspapers, television and radio stations used the information daily. - Maintained close contact with MEMA and FEMA officials, served as liason to our systems, and provided facts and figures twice daily with outage reports by county. - Circulated daily updates to several out-of-state electric cooperatives and statewides that had crews working in Mississippi, along with NRECA officials and Cooperative.com. - Staff published a special four-page section in Today in Mississippi and provided special services to those systems wanting to report on storm activities through their local pages. Produced an eight-page special edition for a system. - Visited several systems, to provide photography, video and communications support. Assisted systems, via phone and Email, in providing valuable information and facts for local news releases. Also, provided several systems with artwork, and produced and procured special T-shirts and caps to be distributed to workers who assisted in the restoration effort.

Systems

3,000

6,000

26,557 Tallahatchie Valley, Batesville3,000

6,000

5,000

1,500

2,640

13,504 Tippah, Ripley

13,278 Tishomingo County, Iuka

39,029 Tombigbee, Tupelo

12,833 Twin County, Hollandale

10,117 Yazoo Valley, Yazoo City

Percentage of outage to total meters

Total

22,179

24,962

24,962 Southwest Miss., Lorman

1,615

500

600

256

20,659

61,207

64,870

370

41,509

1,200

1,800

500

22,800

5,952

26,500

35,568

3,500

70,000

22,241

600

9,290

57,176

64,870

40,600

510

1,020

20,854

4,020

26,100

35,568

1,500

70,000

16,756

9/1/05

Outage

320

8,350

54,659

64,870

40,600

800

18,968

425

17,000

35,568

250

70,000

13,788

9/2/05

Outage

200

7,765

45,352

34,870

37,500

300

18,640

13,250

29,500

100

65,700

11,031

9/3/05

Outage

120

5,845

36,847

31,750

29,950

16,552

9,270

26,600

61,000

3,552

9/4/05

Outage

2,929

32,898

21,400

25,600

14,650

7,210

21,300

56,000

2,278

9/5/05

Outage

1,800

25,738

12,500

24,396

14,000

3,300

19,500

50,700

1,006

9/6/05

Outage

1,500

24,200

9,200

20,991

13,000

1,260

18,000

46,400

311

9/7/05

Outage

295

21,090

5,500

18,883

10,000

452

15,000

43,700

9/8/05

Outage

71%

66%

54%

50%

46%

38%

32%

26%

22%

19%

16%

497,775 465,779 381,732 348,959 325,598 264,208 221,486 184,295 152,940 134,862 114,920

2,640

1,500

5,000

6,000

63,039

63,039 Southern Pine, Taylorsville 63,039

1,000

64,870

1,000

148

64,870

64,870 Singing River, Lucedale

13,608 Prentiss County, Booneville

11,938

41,509

41,799 Pearl River Valley, Columbia41,799

2,000

3,000

28,200

32,800

35,144

35,568

10,000

70,000

1,330

24,952

2,000

900

17,622 Pontotoc,Pontotoc

Outage

8/30/05 8/31/05

Outage

900

24,766 Northcentral, Byhalia

2,000

28,200

28,200 Magnolia, McComb

18,052 North East Miss., Oxford

32,800

42,500 4-County, Columbus

8,000

35,144

35,144 East Miss., Meridian

12,803 Natchez Trace, Houston

35,568

35,568 Dixie, Laurel

3,000

14,000

25,355 Delta, Greenwood

11,449 Monroe County, Amory

70,000

1,330

7,971 Coahoma, Lyon

70,000 Coast, Bay St. Louis

33,085

2,000

Outage

Peak

33,085 Central, Carthage

18,426 Alcorn County, Corinth

704,537.00

Served

Meters

Outage

14%

99,869

15,530

3,750

17,900

8,638

13,000

40,925

11%

80,400

12,800

2,600

17,000

8,000

12,000

28,000

65,665

9,740

16,150

6,600

10,675

22,500

55,079

7,730

14,531

5,918

8,900

18,000

43,121

4,560

12,235

5,076

6,500

14,750

30,165

2,100

9,915

4,850

5,300

8,000

20,240

7,887

3,353

4,500

12,771

5,355

2,416

2,500

7,305

2,745

550

2,160

1,850

0.20%

1,200

200

500

0.02%

150

100

9/9/05 9/10/05 9/11/05 9/12/05 9/13/05 9/14/05 9/15/05 9/16/05 9/17/05 9/18/05 9/19/05 9/20/05

Outage

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi - 9 pm (2)

ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATIONS OF MISSISSIPPI HURRICANE KATRINA DAILY RESTORATION 8.29.05 PEAK OUTAGE 497,775

8.30.05

8.31.05

9.1.05

9.2.05

9.3.05

31,996

116,043

148,816

172,177

233,567

23%

30%

35%

47%

9.4.05

9.5.05

9.6.05

9.7.05

9.8.05

276,289

313,480

344,835

362,913

382,855

56%

63%

69%

73%

77%

9.9.05

9.10.05

9.11.05

9.12.05

9.13.05

397,906

417,375

432,110

442,696

454,654

80%

84%

87%

89%

91%

9.14.05

9.15.05

9.16.05

9.17.05

9.18.05

467,610

477,535

485,004

490,470

496,575

94%

96%

97%

98%

99%

9.19.05

9.20.05

497,625

497,775

99%

100%

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Peak Outages TOTAL METERS

SYSTEMS

18,426 33,085 7,971 70,000 25,355 35,568 35,144 42,500 28,200 11,449 15,778 18,052 24,766 41,799 17,622 13,608 64,870 63,039 24,962 26,557 13,504 13,278 39,029 12,833 10,117 707,512

Alcorn County, Corinth Central, Carthage Coahoma, Lyon Coast, Bay St. Louis Delta, Greenwood Dixie, Laurel East Mississippi, Meridian 4-County, Columbus Magnolia, McComb Monroe County, Amory Natchez Trace, Houston North East Mississippi, Oxford Northcentral, Byhalia Pearl River Valley, Columbia Pontotoc, Pontotoc Prentiss County, Booneville Singing River, Lucedale Southern Pine, Taylorsville Southwest Mississippi, Lorman Tallahatchie Valley, Batesville Tippah, Ripley Tishomingo County, Iuka Tombigbee, Tupelo Twin County, Hollandale Yazoo Valley, Yazoo City

PEAK OUTAGE 2,000 33,085 1,330 70,000 14,000 35,568 35,144 32,800 28,200 3,000 8,000 2,000 900 41,799 11,938 1,000 64,870 63,039 24,962 3,000 6,000 6,000 5,000 1,500 2,640 497,775

% OF TOTAL 11% 100% 17% 100% 55% 100% 100% 77% 100% 26% 51% 11% 4% 100% 68% 7% 100% 100% 100% 11% 44% 45% 13% 12% 26% 70%

Electric Power Association Alcorn County, Corinth Central, Carthage Coahoma, Lyon Coast, Bay St. Louis Delta, Greenwood Dixie, Laurel East Mississippi, Meridian 4-County, Columbus Magnolia, McComb Monroe County, Amory Natchez Trace, Houston North East Mississippi, Oxford Northcentral, Byhalia Pearl River Valley, Columbia Pontotoc, Pontotoc Prentiss County, Booneville Singing River, Lucedale Southern Pine, Taylorsville Southwest Mississippi, Lorman Tallahatchie Valley, Batesville Tippah, Ripley Tishomingo County, Iuka Tombigbee, Tupelo Twin County, Hollandale Yazoo Valley, Yazoo City

Total

TIPPAH EPA

ALCORN CO. EPA PRENTISS CO. EPA

Meters served and percent affected at peak outage 18,426 33,085 7,971 70,000 25,355 35,568 35,144 42,500 28,200 11,449 12,803 18,052 24,766 41,799 17,622 13,608 64,870 63,039 24,962 26,557 13,504 13,278 39,029 12,833 10,117

11% 100% 17% 100% 55% 100% 100% 77% 100% 26% 62% 11% 4% 100% 68% 7% 100% 100% 100% 11% 44% 45% 13% 12% 26%

704,537

71%

TALLAHATCHIE VALLEY EPA

NORTH EAST EPA

CO. EPA

NORTHCENTRAL EPA

TISHOMINGO

Power outages by cooperative

TOMBIGBEE EPA PONTOTOC EPA

COAHOMA EPA

MONROE CO. EPA

NATCHEZ TRACE EPA

DELTA EPA

4-COUNTY EPA

TWIN COUNTY EPA YAZOO VALLEY EPA

CENTRAL EPA

Hinds

EAST MISS. EPA

SOUTHERN PINE EPA

DIXIE EPA

SOUTHWEST EPA

MAGNOLIA EPA PEARL RIVER EPA

SINGING RIVER EPA

COAST EPA

A sheriffâ€™s deputy (inset) watches for alligators in Graveline Bay as crew members prepare to raise a Singing River Electric Power Association line flattened by Katrina. Singing River Electric hired cranes to lift several poles simultaneously from the marsh.

Reprinted from Today in Mississippi October 2005

LEAVES POWER SYSTEM ‘TORN TO PIECES’ By Debbie Stringer The unthinkable has happened. The destructive force of Camille—the benchmark for catastrophic destruction on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1969—has been surpassed by a killer storm named Katrina. Hurricane Katrina’s sustained winds reached 175 mph the day before smashing into the Mississippi Gulf Coast at 9 a.m. Aug. 29. Although no match for Camille’s 200 mph-plus gusts, Katrina’s winds powered a 28-foot storm surge that exceeded Camille’s in height, reach and destruction. Coastal homes that survived Camille were swept clean from their foundations by Katrina’s surge. One family scrambled into their attic to escape the swift current invading their home in Diamondhead—located north of Interstate 10. Katrina was a much larger storm than Camille, whose eye wall was 10 miles in diameter. Katrina’s eye wall swelled to about 30 miles in diameter, with hurricane-force winds extending 105 miles from the sides of the eye wall. Katrina remained a hurricane 100 miles inland as the eye passed west of Laurel. Winds diminished but not before spawning tornadoes, uprooting trees and mangling utility lines as it churned through the state and into Tennessee.

Katrina is the most destructive hurricane ever to strike the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. At this writing Katrina’s death toll exceeds 970 across six states; at least 218 Mississippians perished in the storm.

Left in the dark

One of the immediate concerns statewide was the loss of electric service. Not only were homes dark, but many employers who escaped storm damage closed due to power outages. About 498,000 meters served by electric power associations lost power. All of Mississippi’s 25 electric power associations, serving areas from the coast to the Tennessee border, experienced power outages to some degree (see “Power outages by cooperative” on page 15). “From an electric utility standpoint, Camille was mostly a coastal storm. But Katrina was a statewide disaster,” said Hobson Waits, chief executive officer and executive vice president of the Ridgeland-based Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. “It’s rare for an electric power association in Mississippi to suffer a 100 percent outage due to a natural disaster. After Katrina, nine of them did,” Waits added.

Assessing the damage

Days before Katrina’s strike, electric power associations braced for the severe punch they expected the hurricane to deliver. “When those winds reached 175 mph out in the Gulf we knew we were in for a really tough challenge,” said Wayne Henson, general manager of East Mississippi Electric Power Association (EMEPA), based in Meridian. A few hours before the storm made landfall on the Mississippi coast, Henson told employees to go home, secure their homes, then come back to EMEPA’s offices prepared to make it their home for the next several days, if not weeks. Henson wanted his employees ready to respond to the massive power outage he expected Katrina to leave behind. “We also prayed for our personal safety and the safety of our members,” he added. By day’s end, Henson and other electric power association staff across the state began assessing the damage to their electrical distribution systems. What they discovered was widespread destruction to an extent never before seen in Mississippi. “We think the damage to EMEPA’s service area was at least five times what we had during Ivan,” Henson said. Power lines are no match for hurricane-force winds, uprooted trees and even a flying mattress, in one instance. Katrina destroyed or damaged thousands of miles of electric distribution line across the state—all of which had to be rebuilt from the ground up. “Our best estimate is we have 30,000 broken utility poles,” said Robert Occhi, manager of Bay St. Louis-based Coast Electric Power Association which serves some 70,000 meters. That’s in addition to the loss of 10,000 transformers and some 4,000 miles of line in the co-op’s service area, according to spokesman Ron Barnes. Coast Electric’s cost of power restoration, including materials and expenses associated with hiring, housing and feeding some 3,200 assisting crew members at the peak of the outage, is expected to top $100 million. Barnes estimated 10,000 meters will not have service restored due to homes being damaged or destroyed by the storm. Electric power association officials estimated a total loss of about 50,000 poles statewide due to Katrina. South Mississippi Electric Power Association (SMEPA), a generation and transmission cooperative based in Hattiesburg, reported extensive damage to its transmission system. SMEPA transmits wholesale electricity to 11 electric power associations in the state. SMEPA was able to fully restore its service within about a week of the storm with help from some 100 additional personnel. “TVA also had transmission lines knocked out of service so we had several substations out of service,” said Allegra Brigham, chief executive officer and general manager of Columbus-based 4-County Electric Power Association.

Brigham said the extent of 4-County’s outage took her by surprise. “Initially, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of outage calls we were receiving. We had approximately 32,800 of the 42,500 meters we serve without power that first day,” she said. John Barr, a Southern Pine Electric Power Association journeyman lineman, described the destruction in his co-op’s service area as disheartening with power lines “torn to pieces.” “It hurts because we take pride in how our lines look,” said Barr, a 19-year employee.

Restoration challenges

Electric power associations have a well rehearsed emergency work plan to speed power restoration during major outages. Katrina, however, presented unique challenges due to the massive scale of its destruction. Electric power associations across Mississippi and throughout the Southeast routinely help each other restore power during emergencies by offering work crews and equipment. But since most of them were dealing with (or anticipating) hurricane-related outages at home, assistance was limited the first few days after the storm. “The storm was so large that all the co-ops in Mississippi needed crews, so they were dispersed thinly,” Occhi said. The situation improved as crews began arriving from states beyond Katrina’s reach (see page 22). But securing accommodations for hundreds of visiting crews during a natural disaster was no easy task. Most hotels in south and coastal Mississippi were closed due to damage or lack of water and electricity. Crew members slept in school gyms, co-op offices, a warehouse, church buildings and a huge “tent city” erected for them on the coast. Another concern was the dwindling supply of fuel for utility trucks and office generators. Fuel shortages hampered crews’ ability to assess and repair damage in their service areas, which encompass remote rural areas and span several counties. To make matters worse, the storm wiped out telephone communications in central and south Mississippi. “Communications were absolutely zero. We had no telephone lines or cell phones,” Occhi said. Radio communication was hit-and-miss, he added, and even satellite phones were not completely reliable. Further complicating the emergency at Coast Electric was the unexpected evacuation of its Bay St. Louis communications center when the building took on 3 feet of storm surge. “It didn’t have any water during Camille,” Occhi said wryly. Employees moved the co-op’s emergency operations to its Kiln District office. There, Occhi and his staff would spend the coming days and nights overseeing the enormous task of restoring power to its entire service area—90 percent of the land area in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties.

Dedication despite personal loss

Electric power association employees were among the thousands of Mississippians suffering the loss of homes and family members during the storm. “We have 70 co-op employees out of 220 who are effectively homeless right now,” Occhi said. Most all of them reported to work immediately after ensuring their families’ safety. They knew power restoration would be crucial to jump-starting the healing and rebuilding of their communities. The hardest-hit victims included several employees of Singing River Electric’s Gautier office. “They’ve lost homes, automobiles, everything they own and yet they’re working every day,” said Mark Robichaux, a Singing River Electric serviceman. Mark Heathman, a Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (Tenn.) employee assisting crews in Diamondhead, was impressed by two Coast Electric employees in particular. “Both of them lost their homes. They had nothing to go home to.... And yet they’re out there working. I mean, that’s dedication.” “Everybody had damage to their house in some kind of way,” Occhi said. “But they put that behind them and they came here first, before they even fixed the shingles on their roof. I’m real proud of the dedication of all our co-op employees, and that of all the co-op employees that have come with a sincere desire to help us.” Electric power association crews typically worked 16- to 18-hour days for as long as it took to restore power to all meters capable of receiving it. “You don’t sleep much,” said Lewis Maddox, a Singing River Electric serviceman. “You just fall down in bed, then jump up in a few hours and go back to work. Maddox was at home in Pascagoula when the storm surge rose above the structure’s 13-foot supports and into the house. “Before I could get out the door I tried to grab a few uniforms, because I knew I’d be living in them for a while,” he said.

Members express gratitude

Gerald “Doodle” Williamson of Columbia, a serviceman and 19-year Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association employee, took heart from members’ expressions of gratitude as he and other crew members worked in rural Marion County. “So far the consumers have been real understanding,” Williamson said. “They actually understand the scope of this thing. It’s not an evening thunderstorm; this is a catastrophe.” Southern Pine’s John Barr, a 19-year employee, and his crew had their spirits lifted by members of a Baptist church in

Seminary. “They looked us up while we were working in that area and told us to come eat dinner and supper with them.... If we couldn’t get there to eat, they brought it to us,” Barr said. Southern Pine Electric Power Association Newton District serviceman Robert Sorey and his co-workers—assisted by a crew from Randolph Electric Membership Corporation in Asheboro, N.C.—were warmly received by members of the Homewood community, in Scott County. “The people came out by the hundreds and couldn’t do enough for us. They just blew everybody out of the water, so to speak, with the support they gave Southern Pine and the crews who came to work here,” said Sorey, a 38-year employee. Church and community members provided temporary housing, fed and even did laundry for up to 50 crew men working in the Homewood area to restore power to Southern Pine members. Residents also offered crews the use of four-wheelers, tractors and dozers. “The only thing they didn’t have was a helicopter!” Sorey recalled with a laugh. “They believe in our motto, ‘Member-owned and Serviceproud.’ They believe they own Southern Pine, and they do,” he added. n

At the request of several national, state and local electric cooperative organizations, the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi has created a method for donations to be accepted. The “Katrina Relief Fund” is coordinated through our statewide organization and all funds received will be distributed to employees of Mississippi’s electric cooperatives whose lives have been tremendously affected by the storm. As many as 100 electric power association employees lost their homes and all belongings. On behalf the deserving employees who will be the recipients of these donations, we offer sincere appreciation to our cooperative friends for the compassion which has been shown and that which will come in the future. The cooperative family continues to display the “power of human connections.” Your statewide association will be collecting donations through a tax deductible organization and can provide instructions on how you can donate. If not you may send checks payable to Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, denote it’s for the “Katrina Relief Fund” and mail to:

P.O. Box 3300/Ridgeland, MS 39158. The Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is tax exempt, however, contributions to the fund are not automatically tax deductible. We recommend you seek advice from your accountant if you will file as a deduction. Thanks for your generosity.

Your donations help victims • Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Katrina Relief Fund To donate money to help victims who are employees of Mississippi’s electric power associations, make check payable to Electric Power Associations of Mississippi and mail to P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158. Please designate Katrina Relief Fund on the check.

KATRINA RELIEF FUND

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi P.O. Box 3300/Ridgeland, MS 39158

NEWS RELEASES The following pages are copies of news releases sent to media outlets, newspapers, television and radio stations, state and federal officials, Transportation Commission, Public Service Commission, Public Utilities staff, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the General Managers of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi beginning August 27, 2005 (two days prior to landfall) until September 20, 2005 (restoration of virtually all customers capable of receiving power).

Electric Power Associations

of Mississippi

P.O. Box 3300 ■ Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 665 Highland Colony Parkway Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 601.605.8600 ■ Facsimile 601.605.8601 ■ www.epaofms.com

August 27, 2005, Noon FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 001

For more information: Ron Stewart 601-605-8608 601-906-9306 (cell)

Statement from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi The Electric Power Associations of Mississippi has activated their statewide emergency response plan in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Katrina. All personnel from their 26 electric power associations have been placed on emergency alert. “As part of our statewide emergency response plan, electric power associations across the state have crews ready to assist in restoring power in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Once the hurricane reaches land, emergency crews will report immediately to areas reporting widespread damage and experiencing power outages,” said Hobson Waits, executive vice president and CEO of Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. “In addition, we have contacted electric systems from neighboring states requesting their assistance if needed. We will recruit the necessary personnel to assist in areas affected by the storm. We are prepared to restore power quickly and safely.” Electric Power Association officials remind everyone to stay away from downed power lines and report them to local electric service provider. ___________________________________________________________________ Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 698,000 meters. They maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi web site at www.epaofms.com.

Electric Power Associations

of Mississippi

P.O. Box 3300 ■ Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 665 Highland Colony Parkway n Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 601.605.8600 ■ Facsimile 601.605.8601 ■ www.epaofms.com

August 28, 2005, 2:00 pm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 002

For more information: Ron Stewart 601-605-8608 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Statement from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi As Hurricane Katrina continues its path toward Mississippi, the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi has assembled an emergency response workforce ready to locate to areas suffering loss of electric service due to storm damage. “We have 8 electric power associations serving in the area south of I-20 and located in the anticipated path of Hurricane Katrina. Once the hurricane reaches land, emergency crews will report immediately to areas reporting widespread damage and experiencing power outages,” said Hobson Waits, executive vice president and CEO of Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. Waits reported these 8 electric power associations provide electric service to more than 339,000 meters and maintain more than 42,000 miles of electric distribution lines in this area. “With our large service area, we anticipate major problems with the delivery of our electric service due to the severity of this storm. Those living in the storm area may be without power for days and should properly prepare for the worst,” added Waits. “We urge our customers to be patient as we will recruit the necessary personnel to assist in areas affected by the storm. We are prepared to restore power quickly and safely, but it could take some time.” In addition, electric systems from neighboring and regional states have been contacted and they will be providing crews to assist in restoration efforts. Electric Power Association officials remind everyone to stay away from downed power lines and report them to their local electric service provider.

___________________________________________________________________ Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 698,000 meters. They maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi web site at www.epaofms.com.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi P.O. Box 3300 ■ Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 665 Highland Colony Parkway Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 601.605.8600 ■ Facsimile 601.605.8601 ■ www.epaofms.com

August 29, 2005, 3:00 pm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 003

For more information: Ron Stewart 601-605-8608 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi placing crews in storm-stricken areas The Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is reporting electric service outages over 80% of a large portion of central and southern portions of Mississippi as a result of Hurricane Katrina. It will be late Monday evening or Tuesday morning before a complete assessment can be completed. It’s estimated that more than 285,000 meters in this area are without service at this time and the number will increase throughout the evening as the storm continues its track across Mississippi. According to local electric power association officials, assessment will be hampered by the wide-spread area of destruction and impassable roads. In preparation for Hurricane Katrina, Electric Power Associations of Mississippi activated their statewide emergency work plan several days ago and placed all Mississippi emergency response crews and staff on alert. These crews will be sent to the affected areas to begin restoration efforts that can take weeks. In addition, a group of more than 800 crewmen from North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia are en route to assist in restoration efforts. It is estimated that within a few days more than 2,300 workers will be involved in the restoring of power to electric power associations with additional workers added daily. “We will use all our resources to place adequate manpower in these areas to restore electric service as quickly as possible,” said Hobson Waits, executive vice president and CEO of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. “However, the task will not be easy due to severe damage suffered by our systems. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers during this crisis. We are faced with a task that cannot be accomplished within a few days.”

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 698,000 meters. They maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi web site at www.epaofms.com.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi P.O. Box 3300 ■ Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 665 Highland Colony Parkway n Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 601.605.8600 ■ Facsimile 601.605.8601 ■ www.epaofms.com

August 30, 2005, 7:00 am FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 004

For more information: Ron Stewart 601-605-8608 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Electric service outages continue to increase in storm-stricken areas Hurricane Katrina has made its devastating mark on the large area of Mississippi served by electric power associations. A total of more than 400,000 electric meters served by 15 electric power associations were without power early Tuesday morning. Association officials expect the number to increase once a complete assessment has been made. This cannot be done until it’s safe to travel throughout their service area. Electric power associations serve approximately 85% of the state’s land mass and more than 50% of the state’s electric meters. The Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, a statewide organization representing the 26 electric power associations, activated their statewide emergency work plan last week and placed all Mississippi emergency response crews and staff on alert. These crews, totaling more than 1,500 employees, have begun the task of restoring power in an effort that will most likely take weeks. Additionally, a group of more than 800 crewmen from North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia will begin to arrive today in the storm-stricken area to assist in restoration efforts. Later in the week, the total work force is expected to exceed 2,500. “We have a network of utility workers in other states we call upon and they have answered our call in a great way and without hesitation,” said Hobson Waits, executive vice president and CEO of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. “This storm has impacted our electric service system from the coast to the northern most part of the state and it will take time to restore all power.” Association officials report wide-spread damage to poles, lines and substations. In addition, many areas are without power due to the loss of transmission lines, which deliver power to substations. All customers are urged to be patient while crews work diligently to restore service in an efficient and safe manner. And remember, stay away from power lines which may be hanging down or on the ground.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 698,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi web site at www.epaofms.com.

August 31, 2005, 7:00 am FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 005

For more information: Ron Stewart 601-605-8608 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Electric service is being restored, lights are beginning to shine The restoration of electric service to electric power associations is well underway. At this time, more than 2,500 emergency crew members are working to restore power in a quick and safe manner. “This will not happen in a few days. These systems were built over a 65 year period and, in some cases, it could literally take weeks to totally restore the system. The safety of our customers and those working to restore power will not be sacrificed,” said Hobson Waits, executive vice president and CEO of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. As of late Tuesday evening, officials report more than 449,000 meters served by electric power associations remain without service. This represents approximately 64% of all meters served in Mississippi by electric power associations. Waits said the numbers of meters without electric service should begin to decrease with the work of emergency crews restoring transmission lines and those lines which serve the customers. However, he encourages all customers to be patient throughout the restoration period. Waits praised the large group of emergency crew members from Mississippi’s electric power associations who suffered loss or damage of homes, yet they reported to work to help their neighbors. “This is a true sign of the cooperative spirit which remains alive and well in Mississippi. Even though the storm was devastating, our people understand the importance of helping others return to their normal lifestyle.” He also commended the many states which have provided more than 1,000 additional crew members to assist local emergency crews. All customers are urged to be patient while crews work diligently to restore service in an efficient and safe manner. And remember, stay away from power lines which may be hanging down or on the ground.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 698,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 1, 2005, 7:00 am FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 006

For more information: Ron Stewart 601-605-8608 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Statement from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Electric power associations are making progress in restoring power to portions of their service areas suffering power outages due to Hurricane Katrina. As of 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, 383,076 electric meters were without power, down from 449,000 in our last report. Power restoration is moving more swiftly in some areas of northern Mississippi where the destruction is less severe. As crews working in these areas complete power restoration, they move to assist work forces at other affected electric power associations. Several electric power associations have thousands of utility poles down. BaySt. Louis-based Coast Electric Power Association, for example, has lost some 30,000 poles. In some areas, transmission of electricity into electric power associations’ service areas has been interrupted. Electric power associations continue to add to their total work force as crews from other states arrive to assist. We now have a total of more than 1,500 electric power association crew members and 1,200 crew members from 9 other states working in Mississippi. Officials continue to report total restoration will take several weeks. “Many electric power association employees who lost their own homes in the storm are working nevertheless in the massive power restoration effort,” said Hobson Waits, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Ridgeland-based Electric Power Associations of Mississippi.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 698,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 2, 2005, 7:00 am FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 007

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8608 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi September 2, 2005 at 7:00 a.m. ■

Total electric meters served: 702,491

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Meters without service: 338,363 (48% of all meters served)

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Estimate a peak total of 450,000 meters (64%) were without service

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Total work force presently involved in restoration of service: 5,350 This includes employees of Mississippi electric power associations and electric cooperatives from 13 states (Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida

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Additional emergency workers will be added daily

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Estimate more than 50,000 utility poles were destroyed

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All 25 electric power associations suffered loss of service to meters due to Hurricane Katrina, 10 have completed restoration efforts

We thank our many customers for their patience during this time.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 3, 2005, 7:00 am FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 008

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8608 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Statement from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi September 3, 2005 at 7:00 a.m. “This truly exemplifies the cooperative spirit when we look up and see our friends from many states, side-by-side helping us, bring life back to Mississippi,” said one Mississippi electric power association lineman as he fought back tears. He was referring to the more than 1,500 electric cooperative employees who volunteered to come to assist in the restoration of power leaving behind their own family and friends. “When you awake in the morning on the front seat of a bucket truck it tends to make you wonder why we are here. But when you see the smiles of a customer whose electric service was just restored, you realize we are on a special mission.” This is not an isolated conversation in one area. Much of the same conversation is being heard throughout the service area of electric power associations serving approximately 85% of Mississippi's land mass. At this time, more than 6,125 emergency crew workers from 13 states are assisting in the restoration of power to the remaining 317,363 meters. “These crew members are leading the charge in re-lighting Mississippi,” said Hobson Waits, CEO of Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. “Throughout the day we received numerous calls offering assistance and, I promise you, we accepted their help.” Waits responded to the lineman’s remarks by saying, “in a situation like this, they understand the adverse conditions in which we are operating. When they accept the assignment, a front seat of a truck becomes their bedroom and meals are in a can.” Waits closed by praising the linemen for their work and believing in their customers. “At the end of a long work day, beginning in the dark and ending in the dark, I firmly believe that our customers understand the life of a lineman is not easy. That’s why they can be seen offering the emergency workers a cold drink and, most of all, demonstrating patience throughout this time of loss electric service.” He encourages all Mississippians to take time to thank the thousands of out-of-state workers and promised Mississippi will recover due to the dedication and hard work of their own workers and those who have traveled miles to assist.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 4, 2005, 10:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 009

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi September 4, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 264,208 (38% of 702,000 served) down from 324,299 on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 7 a.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 449,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Central EPA Coast EPA Delta EPA Dixie EPA East Mississippi EPA Magnolia EPA

11,031 65,700 100 29,500 13,250 18,640

Natchez Trace EPA Pearl River Valley EPA Singing River EPA Southern Pine EPA Southwest Miss. EPA Yazoo Valley EPA

300 37,500 34,870 45,352 7,765 200

More than 6,800 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 14 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Kansas. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Coahoma EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA and Twin County EPA. It’s estimated these systems lost service to 59,361 meters.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

P.O. Box 3300 n Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 665 Highland Colony Parkway n Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 601.605.8600 n Facsimile 601.605.8601 n www.epaofms.com

Contact person for additional information throughout restoration period: Ron Stewart - Office 601-605-8600 - Cell 601-906-9306

September 5, 2005 at 7:00 a.m. Release No. 010 n n n n n n

Total electric meters served: 702,491 Meters without service: 221,486 (32% of all meters served) Peak total outage of 450,000 meters (64% were without service) Additional emergency workers are added daily Estimate more than 50,000 utility poles were destroyed All 25 electric power associations suffered loss of service to meters due to Hurricane Katrina, 15 have completed restoration efforts

ASSOCIATIONS / Central EPA Coast EPA Dixie EPA East Mississippi EPA Magnolia EPA

TOTAL METERS/OUTAGES, 9/05, 7 am - TOTAL 221,486 33,085 11,031 Pearl River Valley EPA 41,509 37,500 68,701 65,700 Singing River EPA 64,870 34,870 35,568 29,500 Southern Pine EPA 63,039 45,352 35,144 13,250 Southwest Miss. EPA 24,962 7,765 28,200 18,640 Yazoo Valley EPA 10,117 200

The following have restored power to all meters:

Alcorn County EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA and Twin County EPA. Itâ€™s estimated these systems lost service to 81,361 meters during peak outages.

ASSISTANCE More than 7,605 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 14 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Kansas.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippiâ€™s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 6, 2005, noon FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 011

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi September 6, 2005 at noon TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 176,121 (25% of 702,000 served) down from 184,295 on Monday , Sept. 5 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 469,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Central EPA Coast EPA Dixie EPA East Mississippi EPA Magnolia EPA

2,000 55,000 21,000 6,800 14,204

Pearl River Valley EPA Singing River EPA Southern Pine EPA Southwest Miss. EPA Yazoo Valley EPA

25,600 21,000 27,660 2,929 18

More than 7,800 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 14 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Kansas. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA and Twin County EPA. It’s estimated these systems lost service to 81,532 meters. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 7, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 012

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi September 7, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 152,940 (22% of 702,000 served) down from 184,295 on Tuesday , Sept. 6 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 469,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Central EPA Coast EPA Dixie EPA East Mississippi EPA Magnolia EPA

1,006 50,700 19,500 3,300 14,000

Pearl River Valley EPA Singing River EPA Southern Pine EPA Southwest Miss. EPA

24,396 12,500 25,738 1,800

More than 7,800 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 15 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas and Iowa. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems lost service to 83,447 meters. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 8, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 013

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi September 8, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 134,862 (19% of 702,000 served) down from 152,940 on Wednesday , Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 469,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Central EPA Coast EPA Dixie EPA East Mississippi EPA Magnolia EPA

311 46,400 18,000 1,260 13,000

Pearl River Valley EPA Singing River EPA Southern Pine EPA Southwest Miss. EPA

20,991 9,200 24,200 1,500

More than 7,900 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 17 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland and Delaware. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems lost service to 83,447 meters. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 9, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 014

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi September 9, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 114,920 (16% of 702,000 served) down from 134,862 on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 469,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA East Mississippi EPA Magnolia EPA

43,700 15,000 452 10,000

Pearl River Valley EPA Singing River EPA Southern Pine EPA Southwest Miss. EPA

18,883 5,500 21,090 295

More than 7,900 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 17 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland and Delaware. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Central EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems lost service to 116,521 meters. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi P.O. Box 3300 ■ Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 665 Highland Colony Parkway ■ Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 601.605.8600 ■ Facsimile 601.605.8601 ■ www.epaofms.com

September 10, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 015

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi September 10, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 99,869 (14% of 702,000 served) down from 114,920 on Friday, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 469,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA East Mississippi EPA Magnolia EPA

40,925 13,000 40 8,638

Pearl River Valley EPA Singing River EPA Southern Pine EPA Southwest Miss. EPA

17,900 3,750 15,530 86

More than 8,300 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 19 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas and New Jersey. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Central EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems lost service to 116,521 meters. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 11, 2005, 10:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 016

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Sunday, September 11, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 80,400 (11% of 702,000 served) down from 99,869 on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 469,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Magnolia EPA

28,000 12,000 8,000

Pearl River Valley EPA Singing River EPA Southern Pine EPA

17,000 2,600 12,800

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 12, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 017

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Monday, September 12, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 65,665 (9% of 702,000 served) down from 80,400 on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 469,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Magnolia EPA

22,500 10,675 6,600

Pearl River Valley EPA Southern Pine EPA

16,150 9,740

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 13, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 018

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 55,079 (8% of 702,000 served) down from 65,665 on Monday, Sept. 12 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 469,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Magnolia EPA

18,000 8,900 5,918

Pearl River Valley EPA Southern Pine EPA

14,531 7,730

More than 9,600 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 19 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas and New Jersey. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Central EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, East Mssissippi EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Singing River EPA, Southwest Mississippi EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems restored power to 238,712 meters which lost service as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 14, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 019

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 43,121 (6% of 702,000 served) down from 55,079 on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 478,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Magnolia EPA

14,750 6,500 5,076

Pearl River Valley EPA Southern Pine EPA

12,235 4,560

More than 10,000 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 19 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas and New Jersey. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Central EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, East Mssissippi EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Singing River EPA, Southwest Mississippi EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems restored power to 238,712 meters which lost service as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 15, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 020

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 30,165 (4% of 702,000 served) down from 43,121 on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 488,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Magnolia EPA

8,000 5,300 4,850

Pearl River Valley EPA Southern Pine EPA

9,915 2,100

September 16, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 021

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Friday, September 16, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 20,240 (3% of 702,000 served) down from 30,165 on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 488,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Magnolia EPA Pearl River Valley EPA

4,500 4,500 3,353 7,887

More than 10,000 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 19 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas and New Jersey. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Central EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, East Mssissippi EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Singing River EPA, Southern Pine EPA, Southwest Mississippi EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems restored power to 301,751 meters which lost service as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 17, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 022

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 12,771 (2% of 702,000 served) down from 20,240 on Friday, Sept. 16 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 488,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Magnolia EPA Pearl River Valley EPA

2,500 2,500 2,416 5,355

More than 10,000 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 21 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas, New Jersey, Texas and Michigan. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Central EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, East Mssissippi EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Singing River EPA, Southern Pine EPA, Southwest Mississippi EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems restored power to 301,751 meters which lost service as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. More information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 18, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 023

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Sunday, September 18, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 5,451 (less than 1% of 702,000 served) down from 12,771 on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 488,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Magnolia EPA Pearl River Valley EPA

1,500 2,000 64 1,887

SAFETY MESSAGE Electric power association officials report additional outages are occurring due to people cutting trees and allowing them to come in contact with power lines. Officials ask residents to contact their local electric power association office they will dispatch trained personnel to properly remove trees and limbs from right-of-way area. While we restore your power, we urge everyone to stay away from downed or damaged power lines. Never touch a line for any reason, and do not attempt to remove limbs from lines. Avoid debris that may obscure downed lines.

More than 10,000 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 21 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas, New Jersey, Texas and Michigan. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Central EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, East Mississippi EPA, 4-County EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Singing River EPA, Southern Pine EPA, Southwest Mississippi EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems restored power to 301,751 meters which lost service as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. Information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 19, 2005, 8:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 024

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Monday, September 19, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 1,200 (less than 1% of 702,000 served) down from 5,451 on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 9 p.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 488,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE Coast EPA Dixie EPA Pearl River Valley EPA

500 500 200

More than 10,000 emergency work crew members from Mississippi and 21 states are assisting in restoration. These states are: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas, New Jersey, Texas and Michigan. The following have restored power to all meters: Alcorn County EPA, Central EPA, Coahoma EPA, Delta EPA, East Mississippi EPA, 4-County EPA, Magnolia EPA, Monroe County EPA, Natchez Trace EPA, North East Mississippi EPA, Northcentral EPA, Pontotoc EPA, Prentiss County EPA, Singing River EPA, Southern Pine EPA, Southwest Mississippi EPA, Tallahatchie Valley EPA, Tippah EPA, Tishomingo County EPA, Tombigbee EPA, Twin County EPA and Yazoo Valley EPA. It’s estimated these systems restored power to 329,951 meters which lost service as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. Information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 19, 2005, 7:00 p.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 025

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Monday, September 19, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. TOTAL METERS WITHOUT SERVICE: 150 (less than 1% of 702,000 served) down from 1,200 on Monday, Sept. 19 at 7 a.m. METERS WITHOUT SERVICE AT PEAK OUTAGE: 488,000

ASSOCIATIONS / METERS WITHOUT SERVICE

Coast EPA Dixie EPA Pearl River Valley EPA

100 0 50

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. Information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.

September 20, 2005, 7:00 p.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 026

For more information: Ron Stewart, Senior Vice President 601-605-8600 ■ 601-906-9306 (cell)

Update from Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.

At 7:00 p.m., electric service will be restored to virtually all customers capable of receiving power. If your residence or business remains without power, please contact your electric power association as outages could remain in isolated areas. Complete power restoration was expected to take as long as six weeks in remote or heavily damaged areas. The great majority of the work, however, was completed within three weeks of the storm. Our employees and emergency crews worked 16 to 18 hours every day to deal with Katrina’s historic and profound impact on our service area. We offer our sincere appreciation to the more than 10,000 emergency personnel involved in the restoration of electric service. We appreciate the patience of our members, and ask for their understanding as we continue to rebuild the system.

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi is a service organization owned by and serving Mississippi’s 26 member-owned electric power associations. These associations distribute electricity to more than 1.6 million Mississippians and serve 702,000 meters. These associations maintain more than 87,000 miles of distribution line. Information is available on the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Web site at www.epaofms.com.