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; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (January 31, 2008) – With severe weather predicted this evening for northwestern North Carolina, linemen and other employees of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation are on high alert status and ready to respond in the event of power outages.
The fastest way to report an outage is to call the cooperative’s automated Powerline at 1-800-448-2383. Have the account number, address, and telephone number of the affected location nearby in case it’s needed.
Members can also view a new feature on the cooperative’s web site to see if outages are occurring. By visiting www.BlueRidgeEMC.com and clicking on the Outage Mapping link in the left margin of the home page, members will be able to see a map showing current outages in specific communities and counties as well as the number of outages affecting that area and the amount of time the power has been disrupted. Members can also fine safety and outage preparation tips on the cooperative’s web site by clicking on the News tab, and then the Storm Room tab.
Ice can be one of the most damaging events to a power line. Icy roads can also lead to vehicle accidents that knock down power poles and lead to outages. Because a downed power line can still be energized and therefore dangerous or even deadly, Blue Ridge Electric urges members to stay far away from downed lines. The cooperative urges the public to contact the cooperative if they see a downed power line.
Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned cooperative utility serving more than 70,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Avery, and Alexander counties. For more safety and preparation tips, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.
