Be Prepared for Severe Weather: How to Report an Outage
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (January 19, 2007) – Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation urges members to be prepared for severe winter weather predicted this weekend and into Monday.
Be ready to report a power outage if electric service is interrupted. The fastest way to report an outage to Blue Ridge Electric is by calling Powerline, the cooperative’s automated outage reporting and account information system, at 1-800-448-2383. Have your account number handy in case it’s needed.
Blue Ridge Electric is prepared to respond to outages at any time of the night or day. The cooperative’s work management center, which monitors the computerized equipment of the electric plant system including substations and power load, is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the event of severe weather such a that predicted for this weekend, line technicians, customer service personnel and other employees are placed on “high alert” call status in order to respond quickly to power restoration and member communication needs.
Stay safe and comfortable during a power outage by preparing ahead of time. If someone in your household is on oxygen or other life support equipment, have a contingency plan that may include battery back-up for equipment and how to re-locate to a safe place such as your local emergency management center.
Additionally, have the following emergency supplies on hand:
- Flashlight
- Radio (to listen to weather updates and local news for outage restoration efforts)
- Fresh batteries
- Charcoal or propane grill with charcoal and lighter or a supply of propane
- Non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- Blankets, sleeping bags, quilts
- Oil lamps and extra oil
- Wind-up or battery operated clock
- Paper plates and plastic utensils
- Gallon jugs filled with water for drinking and cooking. These also come in handy if you use a well for your water supply.
- Formula and extra diapers for babies
- Thermos for keeping drinks and baby formula warm
- Extra medications you take regularly
If you see downed power lines, think safety:
Stay away from downed or dangling power lines. Assume that any line is conducting electricity and therefore dangerous. Contact Blue Ridge Electric immediately if you see a downed power line. Try to keep others away from downed lines if possible. Finally, never drive a car over a downed power line. Wait for professional, emergency personnel to arrive to assist you.
Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned cooperative utility serving some 70,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, and Alexander counties. Find more information at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.
