Last Updated on February 16, 2015 12:56 pm
Employees of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation are on high alert, monitoring weather and prepared to respond at any time of the day or night if severe weather causes outages.
Members are advised to keep the cooperative’s PowerLine number handy and report outages as soon as they occur: 1-800-448-2383.
Outages can occur when heavy, wet snow or ice accumulates on power lines or on trees and branches, causing them to break and fall onto power lines. The cooperative reminds the public to be cautious of downed power lines, which can be dangerous and even deadly. If you see a line lying on the ground, assume it’s energized and stay far away. Report it immediately by calling your local Blue Ridge Electric office or call 911.
Members can find tips to be prepared on the following video: {Video tip here} . More tips as well as an online outage map is available at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com. A few key things to remember to be prepared:
- Make sure there’s alternative ways to help you stay warm if the power goes out. Dress in layers and have blankets handy.
- Make an emergency kit that includes the following items and place it in a central area that each member of the household can locate quickly:
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Radio with fresh batteries for weather and news reports
- Keep your cell phone fully charged as well as back up power packs
- Extra water for drinking and cooking
- Nonperishable food items, along with disposable plates, utensils and a manual can opener
- Battery operated clock
- Thermos to keep liquids warm
- A non-cordless phone–it’s likely to operate even when power is out
- First aid kit, including prescription medications
- For babies: extra formula and diapers
- If someone in the home is dependent upon electric-powered life-sustaining equipment, have an emergency evacuation plan and/or a standby power generator in place.
Think safety at all times! NEVER use grills, heaters or other appliances intended for outdoor use inside your home due to dangerous carbon monoxide fumes that can accumulate.
For more information, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com. During widespread outages, the cooperative also provides information on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blueridgeemc and Twitter: www.twitter.com/blueridgeemc.
Blue Ridge Electric serves some 74,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties.
