Blue Ridge Electric Responds to Outages Caused by High Winds

Lenoir, North Carolina (February 10, 2010) – Sporadic power outages have occurred throughout the day as strong winds—gusting up to 70 miles-per-hour—have affected power lines.

Line technicians are continuing to respond to multiple outages caused by power lines slapping together or trees and limbs blowing into power lines. As power is restored in one location, other outages are occurring due to relentless high winds. Caldwell County has been most affected and has experienced the bulk of outages today.

As of 5 p.m., 216 members are without power with 175 in Caldwell County, 35 in Wilkes County, and six in Alleghany County.

To report an outage, members of Blue Ridge Electric should call the cooperative’s Powerline at 1-800-448-2383. A live outage map is available at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com (click on the link at the bottom, right hand side of the home page). Updates and information are also available on the cooperative’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blueridgeemc.

The cooperative reminds members that power lines lying on the ground or other structures, or that appear damaged, can still be energized and therefore dangerous—even deadly—if contact is made with the line. The public should keep far away from downed or hanging power lines, and should also keep away from any structure the line may be touching. Furthermore, never drive a vehicle over downed power lines or get out of your car if downed power lines are on or around it. To report a downed power line and its location, speak with a Blue Ridge representative at 1-800-451-5474.

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