Last Updated on October 13, 2024 9:56 am
Mountain Electric Cooperative Update- Hurricane Helene Restoration Efforts -October 13, 2024
We are still working the same schedule of 15 hour days and are making progress. We will continue this schedule through the weekend also. We are now on day 17 of our restoration efforts.
Status for Mtn City service area:
We currently have an estimated 500 members out of power. The number of outages will continue to slowly decrease due to building new lines and replacing broke poles that were damaged by the storm.
General Area Crews Working in Mountain City district area: Forge Creek, Neva/Butler (including Locust Gap, Big Dry Run Rd/Andy Bunton Ln., Harmon Rd. and Sugar Hollow/Norris Hollow), in Mountain City (Rhea Rd & Crowder Rd), Trade (crews are working in different areas), Poga (Stout Hill /Dye Leaf area), Shady Valley area, and Hwy 321 areas. Crews will begin rebuilding the line along Roan Creek Road today also.
General Area Tree Crews Working in Mountain City district area: Tree crews are working in the Hwy 167/Roan Creek Rd area, Big Dry Run and Poga 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 1,850 members out of power in Newland and 150 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 some outages because of people trying to help cut trees.
General area crews are working in Newland district
All 3phase lines are energized to Flat Springs. Crews are now working taps on Old Beech, Linville, Matney, Hickory Nut Gap, Jonas Ridge, Elk Park, Minneapolis taps, outskirts of Banner Elk, Linville Falls. Underground crews are working in multiple communities served by underground utilities.
Tree trimming crews are working in Curtis Creek, Old Beech and Linville areas.
There are several places near creeks and sides of mountains where only an excavator can reach. These outages take much longer to repair. Please be patient, as we are trying to access all the hard-to-reach areas.
Service crews are still working in all areas, but the repairs they’re making only restores a few customers at a time.
General area crews are working in Roan Mtn district— Roan Mtn-Crews working in Hummingbird Hill, Teaberry, Roan Wood and trying to finish all of Buck Mtn
Excavators are still working in the Tiger Creek and Whitehead Hill area to gain access to poles that are not accessible for trucks.
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.
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 17 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
