RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 30, 2024; 8:30 a.m.) – North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have restored power to more than 110,000 consumer-members in western North Carolina and will continue their efforts until power is restored to all homes capable of receiving electric service.

Damage:

Electric cooperatives serving areas with the most extensive storm damage are backed by reinforcements from peer electric cooperatives in and out of state, as well as contract crews, tree removal experts and other support specialists. Damage is so widespread that it could take this army of restoration personnel several more days or even weeks to fully restore power.

“It’s hard to describe the extent of the damage to the cooperatives’ systems,” said Nelle Hotchkiss, senior vice president and chief operating officer for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, the trade association for the state’s 26 local electric co-ops. “In many cases, it’s not just a repair effort, but a rebuild.”

Lingering flood water, mudslides and collapsed roads have made some areas of the cooperatives systems inaccessible, and in other areas, crews are pushing through trees, brush and debris to locate and begin working on damaged infrastructure.

But officials warn, these access challenges are only part of the problem.

“When crews get to where they need to be, they’re not just met with a limb on a line – they’re met with infrastructure that has been washed away, trees that have pulled down spans of line and snapped poles that need to be rebuilt,” said Hotchkiss.

Prolonged Outages:

Prolonged outages are frustrating, and electric co-op members are thanked for their patience, as well as the gratitude they’ve shared with restoration personnel. Please know, every single cooperative member who is without power is a part of their local cooperative’s restoration plan. Crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to return the essential service of electricity to all.

You can help by being especially vigilant of work areas. Please do not go out on the roads unless absolutely necessary. Keeping the roads clear will help first responders do their jobs and allow restoration crews access to impacted areas. Additionally, many road shoulders are saturated or inaccessible, which means crews will have to set up their trucks and equipment on the road in some locations. Help us keep our linemen safe.

Real-time outage numbers from electric cooperatives across the state are available on a Statewide Outage Map.

Safety:

• Do not approach any areas where power lines are downed, and never touch a downed line. Remember, flood waters, fallen trees and debris can hide downed power lines.
• Please heed the advice of state and local officials and stay off the roads. If you must go out, please use caution around utility workers so that they can safely and effectively work to restore power.
• If it is necessary to use a portable generator, always operate the generator outdoors in an open area. Use an extension cord to connect the generator directly to the appliance and ensure the extension cord has three-prongs and is rated for the amount of power used by the appliance.
• Do not connect your portable generator directly to your home’s wiring. A generator that is directly connected can “backfeed” into the power lines connected to your house and could electrocute anyone working on the power lines.

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North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives collectively serve approximately 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties. For more information, please visit ncelectriccooperatives.com.