Raleigh, N.C. —North Carolina’s electric cooperatives’ line crews are making progress restoring power to areas affected by the recent high winds.
Currently, the cooperatives are reporting 31,500 outages, compared to almost 50,000 this afternoon. The outages affected cooperative members primarily in the counties west of I-85.
Storms such as this one offer particular challenges to repair crews because sustained winds can topple poles and falling tree limbs can damage power lines repaired earlier in the day. Crews are working around the clock to stay ahead of the storm, and cooperatives from unaffected areas are assisting their sister co-ops with restoration. Cooperative line crews and contract crews are working to restore the outages caused by the high winds.
Cooperative members should report new outages to their local co-ops. You can find contact information for your electric cooperative at www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/storm/outages.htm.
Remember that fallen power lines can be energized and deadly. Water is a strong electricity conductor, so stay away from flooded areas for your own safety. Power lines covered by water and downed trees are difficult to see. Don’t take chances!
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide energy to 2.5 million people in 93 of 100 counties, primarily in rural parts of the state. The electric cooperatives own and maintain 95,000 miles of power lines, by far the most of any electric utility in North Carolina.