Last Updated on October 11, 2024 12:23 pm
Video Update from Thursday, October 10. 2024
Mountain Electric Cooperative Update- Hurricane Helene Restoration Efforts -October 11, 2024
MEC wants everyone to know, we have plenty of materials (including poles) to work with and trucks are arriving daily. We ask that you drive carefully in our work zones so workers stay safe and do their jobs efficiently. Please don’t stop to report your outage, this only holds up progress they are trying to make to get your power back on.
We are still working the same schedule of 15 hour days and are making progress. We will continue this schedule through the weekend also.
Status for Mtn City service area:
We currently have an estimated 800 members out of power. We made significant progress yesterday by energizing the 3 phase lines that serves the Trade community. This was ahead of schedule and we are really happy to make this large step in the right direction.
General Area Crews Working: Forge Creek, Neva/Butler (including Locust Gap, Gate Hollow, Preserve Way and Sugar Hollow), Doe (K & R Road area), W Holy Hill and Pinecrest in Mountain City, Trade, and Hwy 321areas
General Area Tree Crews Working: Tree crews are working in Gate Hollow, Harmon Rd, Sage Valley Circle, Black Branch and Trade areas.
There are portions of Poga, Heaton Branch, and Walnut Mountain areas that are not accessible at this time. Roads and Electrical infrastructure have been washed out in several areas.
Status of Newland and Roan Mtn:
We currently have 3,000 members out of power in Newland and 200 members in Roan Mountain. We ask that you have patience with us. We have several side roads and taps that will need an excavator or setting poles by hand to complete the job. This takes longer to do, but we are working as quickly as we can to reach you.
If your power is on and goes back off, there are many instances we have to temporarily turn the power back off to energize surrounding lines. Also, we are experiencing a lot of outages because of people trying to help cut trees.
General area crews are working in Newland—Crews are working in Altamont, Old Beech Mtn, Banner Elk, Banner Rd, Hickory Nut Gap, Brushy Creek, Cow Camp, Crossnore, Roaring Creek and Ginger Cake.
2 additional underground crews are starting today. It will be a time-consuming process to restore some of these utilities.
General area crews are working in Roan Mtn—Crews are working in Ingram Branch, Fairview, Heaton Ridge, Elm Hollow, crews are working on 19E in Roan Mountain towards the NC line on all taps.
If you have a medical need (oxygen, dialysis or other medical conditions), please find a local emergency shelter. The electricity and the essential needs are being supplied at these shelters.
I am out of the office surveying damages to our system most of the time. Please call your local office first and see if they can assist you before leaving me a message. I know there are several members without electricity still and can assure you all the MEC crews and contractors are working. These individuals have worked 15 hours (or more) daily for 15 days straight and will continue to do so.
We are getting reports that wire is being stolen in certain communities which is holding up progress. If you see someone stealing wire, please get their tag number and report it to the police.
I would also like to give a heartfelt “thank you” to all our communities in MEC service area. MEC appreciates the meals, food donations and prayers going up for us as we continue to restore power to all our members.
Rodney Metcalf, General Manager
Mountain Electric Cooperative
C: 423.727.1810
Fax: 423.727.1822
rmetcalf@mountainelectric.com
