Blue Ridge Electric: Limited Outages as of 9 a.m.

Lenoir, North Carolina (February 5, 2010-9 a.m. Update) - Power outages continue to be limited in number as Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation remains on high alert due to predicted ice and snow for today and tomorrow. Line technicians are on the scene or on their way to respond to a total of 51 power outages in Caldwell, Watauga and Alexander counties as of 9 a.m. today.

Heavy, wet snow is building up on power lines and this could pose a threat if enough accumulation weights down power lines. Grounds saturated with recent water and snow fall is also a concern as it could cause trees to fall into power lines. More than four inches of snow has fallen so far in the cooperative's service area.

Currently affected by outages related to the severe weather are 27 members in Caldwell County, 22 in Alexander County, and 10 in Watauga County.

Blue Ridge Electric members should report outages by calling the cooperative's Powerline at 1-800-448-2383. To view a live outage map, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com and click on the "outage map" link located on the bottom right hand side of the screen.

More safety and preparation 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.