Be Prepared: Severe Weather Sometimes Brings Outages
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (December 19, 2000) – While our area is known for its beautiful winter landscapes, severe winter weather sometimes brings conditions that can lead to outages.
Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is constantly monitoring weather condition via satellite and crews are on stand-by in the event of outages. The cooperative is also double-checking equipment and supplies that enable them to restore power as quickly as possible in the event of outages.
Blue Ridge Electric encourages residents to think safety and be prepared for winter weather and the possibility of outages. The cooperative offers the following tips for keeping safe and comfortable this winter:
Keep the following emergency supplies on hand:
- Fresh batteries and a battery operated radio for the latest weather and power restoration updates.
- Flashlights· Water for drinking and cooking if you have a well
- Nonperishable food
- Manual can opener
- Wind-up or batter operated clock Extra blankets, sleeping bags, quilts
- Paper plates, cups and utensils
- A grill for cooking (along with extra charcoal and lighter, or propane)
- Be sure to use the grill outside your home to avoid a safety hazard or dangerous fumes.
- If you have a baby in the home, be sure to keep a thermos handy for keeping baby formula warm. Also have extra baby items such as diapers and formula in your home.
If power is interrupted, you should:
- Report the outage by contacting your local Blue Ridge Electric office or call the cooperative’s automated PowerLine at 1-800-448-2383.
- Keep warm by adding layering your cloths and using blankets.
- Preserve heat by closing any unused rooms in your house.
- Guard against spoiled food by refraining from opening your refrigerator or freezer door if the power goes off.
- Prevent a hazardous situation by making sure your range and oven are off if the power is interrupted. Never use the oven or range as a substitute heater.
- If you use a portable generator, prevent a hazardous situation by making sure generators are safely connected. Back-feed into the utility system from improperly installed generators can harm or even kill a line technician who may working on restoring power. Improperly installed generators can also damage appliances. Be sure a qualified, licensed electrician installs a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch to connect the generator to the electrical system. This is required by the National Electrical Code, and the generator connection must also meet local ordinances. Contact a licensed electrician for more information.
Blue Ridge Electric serves over 60,000 members in northwest North Carolina. Its subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, provides propane, heating fuels, and commercial gasoline from offices in Lenoir, Morganton, Boone, and West Jefferson. In Caldwell County, the local Blue Ridge Electric number is 754-9071; in Watauga County: 264-8894; in Ashe County: 246-7138; in Alleghany County: 372-4646; and in Wilkes County: 838-4655.
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