Power Restoration Work Continues

Watauga: 3,500; Ashe: 525 as of 4 p.m. Monday

Lenoir, North Carolina (December 28, 2009-4 p.m. update) – Some 300 linemen are in the field as additional crews were called in to assist Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation in restoring power to its members still affected by the worst ice storm to hit the High Country in years. Due to the extent of damage, Blue Ridge officials are predicting it will be Wednesday before power is fully restored to all locations.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, 3,500 members in Watauga County and 525 in Ashe County remain without power.

The restoration process has been extensive due to heavy ice damage and the number of fallen trees tearing down the electric system. About half the cooperative’s 7,000 miles of power lines were damaged or affected. As system damage is being assessed, 150 broken poles have been identified and are being replaced, many by hand on mountainsides and rough terrain.

"The things that make our mountain districts beautiful—the many trees, hillsides and rough terrain—also make it more difficult to restore power after such a severe weather event that has torn down so much of the system," said Renee Whitener, director of public relations.

"A large number of crews from 11 other utilities responded to our request for help,” she continued. “We want to thank everyone who has had a part in feeding and housing all our line technicians so that they can continue to work in these tough conditions. Many of them have been here since Christmas morning, working long hours to get the rest of the power restored as quickly as possible," she added.

Assisting Blue Ridge line technicians are crews from neighboring cooperatives Rutherford, Randolph, Piedmont, EnergyUnited, UnionPower, Pee Dee, Lumbee River, and Central EMC, and Blue Ridge Energies as well as crews from Pike Corporation, Carter Utility Services and Asplundh Tree Expert Company.

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

The ice storm and falling trees also pulled down power lines. 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.

Members in Watauga County with special medical or life support needs should contact their local emergency management office for assistance at (828) 264-4235 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.