Winter Storm Forecasted for Weekend: Blue Ridge Electric On Alert Status; Reminds Members to Think Safety

For Immediate Release

Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener

Lenoir, NC (January 4, 2002) – With possible freezing rain, sleet, and snow in the weekend weather forecast for most of northwest North Carolina, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is on alert status. The cooperative also reminds area residents to be aware of the safety hazards of downed power lines.

Ice and heavy snow can lead to power outages by weighing heavily on tree limbs, causing them to break or fall onto power lines. High winds can also damage power lines and poles.

Downed or damaged power lines can continue to be energized, and contact with these lines can cause severe injuries or even death. Blue Ridge Electric asks residents to do the following if they encounter downed power lines:

Stay away from the downed power lines.
Call the local Blue Ridge Electric office immediately (The cooperative has a 24-hour dispatch team on duty every day of the year).
Try to keep others away from the downed power lines. If you need to leave the area to call Blue Ridge Electric, try to have someone else warn others away from the downed lines.

Downed power lines can also lead to power outages. If Blue Ridge Electric members experience an interruption in service, they should report it by calling the cooperative’s Powerline at 1-800-448-2383, or their local Blue Ridge Electric office. Blue Ridge Electric serves over 63,000 member-accounts in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Alexander counties. For more tips or information, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.