Last Updated on January 9, 2024 5:09 pm
Lenoir, North Carolina (4:30 pm – January 9, 2024) – Blue Ridge Energy line technicians battled severe weather today to restore power to over 4,200 members impacted by extremely high winds combined with heavy rain and ice that brought down trees and damaged power lines across the cooperative’s service area.
The most damage occurred in Watauga County where 3,444 members were affected by damage in 27 different locations. Outages began at 3:34 am Tuesday and were widespread across the county. Restoration was complete by 4:30 pm.
In Caldwell County, seven locations were damaged causing outages for 669 members in the Hudson and Grace Chapel communities. Outages began at 12:06 pm and were restored by 2:46 pm.
In Alleghany County, six areas of power lines received damage that affected 91 members in the Sparta, Glade Valley and Ellis communities. Outages began at 6:43 am, with all restored by 4:30 pm.
In Ashe County, 56 members were affected by damage in four locations in the Lansing, Beaver Creek and Creston communities. Outages began at 4:50 am with all but one restored by 4:30 pm.
Blue Ridge Energy reminds members to report all outages by calling PowerLine at 1-800-448-2383, by using the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app, or by texting OUT to 70216 (or START to sign up after your mobile number is added to your account).
Outage updates are available on the cooperative’s live outage map at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com and on the mobile app.
The cooperative reminds the public to stay far away from downed power lines as they can still be energized and therefore dangerous, even deadly! Report downed lines by calling 1-800-451-5474. Only a trained line technician should ever go near a downed power line.
If you or someone you know depends on medical equipment powered by electricity, always have a secondary plan in case of outages in the event system damage requires extended time to repair and restore power.
Blue Ridge Energy serves some 78,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties as well as parts of Avery, Alexander and Wilkes counties. Learn more at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com or on the cooperative’s social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
