Outages Restored

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

Boone, North Carolina (November 19, 2003 - 5:30 p.m.) – By 5:30 p.m., linemen with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation had restored all of the 1,536 outages in Watauga County that occurred due to high winds and flooding beginning earlier in the day.

While all outages are reported as restored, if members are experiencing outages at this time they are urged to contact the cooperative at 264-8894 or 1-800-448-2383.

While power was restored for most members by mid-day, flooding in the lower Powder Horn community hampered power restoration efforts until late day for 124 members. Linemen were able to reach the affected area and restore power as soon as water levels subsided.

Blue Ridge Electric serves over 66,000 members in northwest North Carolina. Its subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, provides propane, heating fuels, and commercial gasoline from offices in Lenoir, Boone, Hickory and West Jefferson.