Blue Ridge Electric Sends Linemen to Assist Carolina Coast and Prepares at Home for Hurricane Isabel
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, North Carolina (September 17, 2003) – In anticipation of likely damage in eastern North Carolina from Hurricane Isabel, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation has dispatched 20 linemen today to assist sister electric cooperatives in the eastern part of the state.
The North Carolina coast is expected to take the brunt of Isabel. Electric cooperatives are the primary electricity provider to approximately 75 percent of coastal residents outside of the city of Wilmington and Roanoke Island.
“We’ve sent linemen from all across our service territory so that we keep enough crews here at home on the Blue Ridge system just in case the hurricane causes any damage in our area,” said Robert Kent, director of operations.
While severe weather isn’t forecast for northwest North Carolina and power outages are not likely in this area due to the hurricane, weather reports are calling for high winds and some rain in the western part of the state on Thursday.
“The cooperative philosophy of helping other co-ops in times of need is one that benefits all cooperative members,” Kent said. “We certainly call on and receive assistance from other cooperatives during the winter when we typically experience several severe outages due to ice or snow storms. This is an opportunity to return the favor and help others,” he explained.
As Blue Ridge Electric employees closely monitor weather conditions here and at the coast, linemen and technical crews in Blue Ridge district offices are topping off fuel supplies for their vehicles and double-checking severe weather gear such as chainsaws to remove fallen trees blocking roadways. Crews are also checking tools, equipment and more other supplies necessary for outage restoration.
If members experience an outage, they may report it by contacting their local Blue Ridge Electric office or by calling Powerline — the cooperative’s automated outage reporting system — at 1-800-448-2383. The local numbers for Blue Ridge Electric are: Watauga County: 264-8894; Caldwell County: 754-9071; Ashe County: 246-7138; Alleghany County: 372-4646, and Wilkes County: 838-4655.
Blue Ridge Electric also reminds the public that high winds can lead to downed power lines, which can be dangerous or even deadly. If you see a power line lying on the ground, or if a tree falls on a line, STAY AWAY!! Always assume the line is energized. Follow these steps if you encounter a downed power line:
(1) Keep away from the line and anything it touches.
(2) Send for help by calling your local Blue Ridge Electric
office or 911.
(3) Stand guard, if possible, to keep others away from danger.
Following these guidelines may save a life.
For more severe weather preparedness tips, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.
Blue Ridge Electric serves 66,000 consumers in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties as well as parts of Wilkes and Alexander counties.
