Blue Ridge Electric: How to Report an Outage and
Be Prepared
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (December 1, 2006) – Although Blue Ridge Electric works hard to keep the power on for its members, severe weather conditions such as high winds, ice or snow can lead to power outages.
Should a power outage occur, the fastest way to report an outage to Blue Ridge Electric is through Powerline, the cooperative’s automated outage reporting and account information system. Powerline can be reached by calling:
1-800-448-2383.
Blue Ridge Electric is prepared to respond to outages at any time of the night or day. The cooperative’s work management center, which monitors the computerized equipment of the electric plant system including substations and power load, is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the event of severe weather, line technicians, customer service personnel and other employees are placed on “high alert” call status in order to be able to respond quickly to possible power restoration and member communication needs.
If a power outage occurs, keep safe and comfortable in the event of a power outage by having the following emergency supplies on hand in a convenient location:
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Radio with fresh batteries (to listen to weather updates and local news for outage restoration efforts)
- Charcoal or propane grill with charcoal and lighter or a supply of propane
- Non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- Blankets, sleeping bags, quilts
- Oil lamps and extra oil
- Wind-up or battery operated clock
- Paper plates and plastic utensils
- Gallon jugs filled with water for drinking and cooking
- Formula and extra diapers for babies
- Thermos for keeping drinks and baby formula warm
If you see downed power lines, think safety:
Stay away from downed or dangling power lines. Assume that any line is conducting electricity and therefore dangerous. Contact Blue Ridge Electric immediately if you see a downed power line. Keep others away from downed lines if possible. Never drive a car over a downed power line.
Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned cooperative utility serving some 70,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, and Alexander counties. Find more information at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.
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