Power Restoration Progresses

Noon Update: Watauga: 6,600; Ashe: 1,200

Lenoir, North Carolina (December 27, 2009-.Noon update) - Power restoration progress is being made to members of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation in Watauga and Ashe counties affected by the most destructive ice storm in years in the High Country.

As of noon today, the numbers for Watauga County are down to 6,600 and Ashe County is down to 1,200. More than 200 line technicians from Blue Ridge Electric, sister cooperatives and other utilities are continuing to work in both counties to restore power as quickly and safely as possible in conditions that have required bulldozers to remove debris and helicopter patrol to help assess damage to the electric system.

Due to the extent of damage from fallen trees that have pulled down power lines and broken poles, as well as road clearing needed to reach remote areas of outage locations, cooperative officials say restoration efforts are still expected to extend into Tuesday before electricity is likely to be fully restored to all members.

Members can report outages by calling the cooperative's automated Powerline at 1-800-448-2383. Call volume is heavy so the cooperative asks that members be patient when calling.

The cooperative reminds the public that downed lines can still be energized and therefore dangerous or even deadly. Stay far away from downed lines and report them by calling Blue Ridge Electric at 1-800-451-5474.

Assisting Blue Ridge Electric are sister cooperatives Piedmont, EnergyUnited, Union Power, Pee Dee, Lumbee River, and Central EMC, as well as crews from Pike Corporation, Carter Utility Services and Asplundh Tree Expert Company.

The cooperative continues to encourage members with special medical or life support needs to contact their local emergency management office for emergency shelter if needed or call the American Red Cross at (828) 263-2639.

Members can view outage updates at any time by visiting www.BlueRidgeEMC.com and clicking on the "outage map" link. Outage updates and other information is also available on the web site as well as on Blue Ridge Electric's Facebook page.

Blue Ridge Electric serves some 73,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties.