Last Updated on January 9, 2025 4:44 pm
Lenoir, North Carolina (January 9, 2025) – Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and staff are on high alert, prepared to respond should severe weather cause outages.
Predictions for the Blue Ridge Energy service area include the potential for wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour on Saturday in higher elevations. Snow accumulations of one to six inches is expected with steady winds beginning Friday.
The cooperative advises members to be prepared with the following tips:
Before a storm, prepare to stay safe and more comfortable in the event of an outage:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Extra water for drinking, cooking and for pets
- Food items that can be eaten without an oven or microwave such as: canned tuna or chicken, canned or dried fruit, energy bars, crackers, peanut butter, cereal, canned coffee and drinks. Include a manual can opener.
- NOAA Weather Radio. Or sign up for alerts from emergency and weather services on a smart phone or tablet.
- First aid kit, including prescription medications
- Extra blankets and layers of warm clothing
- Charcoal or propane grill; use only in a well-ventilated area
- Keep cell phones charged and have fully charged battery backups
- Keep a cooler and extra ice handy
Report outages in one of the following ways:
- Call PowerLine: 1-800-448-2383
- Over the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app
- By text when your mobile number is on your account: Text OUT to 70216
For outage status at any time:
- View the cooperative’s online outage map at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com or on our mobile app.
Safety:
Stay far away from downed power lines. Do not touch a downed line or any object that is in contact with it. This can be dangerous or even deadly as the lines may still be energized! Always report downed power lines to the cooperative by calling 1-800-451-5474. A trained line technician is the only person who should handle downed power lines.
Planning for those on life-sustaining equipment:
If someone is dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining equipment, have an evacuation plan that could include backup power such as a generator and alternative care options in case of extended outages.
Blue Ridge Energy posts information during major outages on its social media:
www.facebook.com/blueridgeenergy; www.instagram.com/blueridgeenergy and www.twitter.com/blueridgeemc. However, outage reporting is not available over social media; please report outages by phone, mobile app or text as listed above to ensure all outages are logged into the cooperative’s outage management system.
Blue Ridge Electric serves some 80,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and parts of Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties. Its propane and fuels subsidiary serves customers in the cooperative’s service area as well as Burke, Catawba, and Grayson County, Va. Learn more at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com.
