Last Updated on October 16, 2024 3:17 pm
Mountain Electric Cooperative Update- Hurricane Helene Restoration Efforts -October 16, 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 20 of our restoration efforts.
Status for Mtn City service area:
We currently have an estimated 250 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 area, Neva/Butler (including Hwy 167/ Little Dry Run area including Williams Ln, Cherokee Cove, lower Little Dry Run area), Young tap/Maymead area, Harbin Hill area, Rabbit Hollow area, Rocky Knob area, Trade (crews are working in different areas including Dotson Rd), Poga Rd. area, and taps in Hwy 321 areas. Crews will continue rebuilding the line along Roan Creek Rd.
We received communication through the Carter County Highway Department today: “Carter County Highway Department has hired an assessment and damage team. Contractors will be hired once the damage assessment reports are completed. These Contractors will be assisting in the road repair. We can update you as this process is underway.”
Poga area update: Mr. Scott Robinson is assisting our crews today with heavy equipment to set poles so we can rebuild the lines that serves 22 customers. Atley Brown Rd. is inaccessible to build lines back at this time.
Status of Newland and Roan Mtn:
We currently have 980 members out of power in Newland and 70 members in Roan Mountain.
We have service crews working in all areas on secondary lines and meter poles.
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
Crews are making progress in the Old Beech Mtn taps, Elk River Falls Rd, Stamey Branch 3 phase lines, Alton Palmer Rd, still working in the outer areas of Banner Elk, and Matney.
We evaluated the Roseboro line by helicopter and are hoping to get started on this line Friday.
Regarding the Elk River Rd outage, we are having to rebuild the whole line and will need excavators cross the river to set poles and get us access. Excavators will be on Buckeye Hollow on Old Beech today.
General area crews are working in Roan Mtn district—Roan Mtn- Crews are getting close to having all power restored to the Roan Mountain customers except on the Poga side that feeds from Old Beech Mtn side, which they are working on.
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 20 days straight and will continue to do so.
Rodney Metcalf, General Manager
Mountain Electric Cooperative
C: 423.727.1810
Fax: 423.727.1822
rmetcalf@mountainelectric.com
