Blue Ridge Electric Preparing for Predicted Snowstorm

For Immediate Release

Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Phone: (828) 758-2383; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; E-mail: Renee Whitener

Lenoir, North Carolina (March 19, 2001) – Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, which serves over
63,000 members in northwest North Carolina, is
monitoring a predicted snowstorm for the high country
area and making preparations for timely power restoration in the event of outages are caused by the storm. 

Blue Ridge Electric employees are on “stand by” status in the event extra manpower is needed or 24-hour restoration service is required. The cooperative is also double-checking equipment and supplies that enable them to restore power as quickly as possible in the event of outages.

In the event of outages, members may quickly report individual outages through the cooperative’s automated phone attendant called “PowerLine”, at 1-800-448-2383. Or, they may call their local Blue Ridge Electric office in: Watauga County: 264-8894; Caldwell County: 754-9071; Ashe County: 264-7138; and Alleghany County: 372-4646, and in Wilkes: 838-4655.


Blue Ridge Electric also offers the following safety tips:

	Stay away from downed or dangling power lines. Assume that any line is conducting electricity and is dangerous. During a storm causing related outages, many calls are coming in to your cooperative and members should call the cooperative only to report an outage or an emergency, such as downed or sparking power lines.
	To remain safe and less inconvenienced during severe weather that could cause outages, keep the following supplies on hand: - Fresh batteries  -  Battery operated radio for the latest weather and restoration updates - Flashlights -  Water for drinking and cooking. -  Baby items such as diapers and formula -  Nonperishable food items -  Manual can opener -  Wind-up or battery operated clock -  Extra blankets, sleeping bags, quilts -  Grill (along with extra charcoal and lighter, or propane) -  Thermos for keeping drinks and baby formula warm -  Paper plates, cups and utensils
	Guard against spoiled food by refraining from opening your refrigerator or freezer door if the power goes off.
	Prevent a hazardous situation by making sure your range and oven are off if the power is interrupted. Never use the oven or range as a substitute heater.
	If you use a portable generator, prevent a hazardous situation by making sure generators are safely connected. Back-feed into the utility system from improperly installed generators can harm or even kill a line technician working on restoring power. Improperly installed generators can also damage appliances. Be sure a qualified, licensed electrician installs a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch to connect the generator to the electrical system as required by the National Electrical Code. Contact a licensed electrician for more information.