RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 1, 2024; 9:30 a.m.) – Power has been restored to 134,000 electric co-op members as cooperatives continue an all-out effort to reconnect and rebuild severely damaged or destroyed infrastructure in western North Carolina following Tropical Storm Helene. Numerous challenges remain, including flooding and landslides that have swept away roads and power line infrastructure. While cooperative crews are facing these challenges with unwavering commitment and resolve, for some parts of North Carolina, these are long-duration outages expected to last more than a week.
Co-op outages:
Local co-op crews, alongside reinforcements from peer electric cooperatives both in-state and out-of-state, have worked around the clock to repair and, in many cases, completely rebuild electric infrastructure, as 101,000 co-op members remain without power in the hardest-hit areas.
“These crews are contending with unprecedented damage,” 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. “They are going to extraordinary lengths to access damaged infrastructure. When they 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.”
These obstacles will continue to impede restoration efforts, with full restoration expected to take a week or more. Real-time outage numbers from electric cooperatives across the state are available on a Statewide Outage Map.
Message for members:
Every electric cooperative member who is still without power is a priority and part of their local cooperative’s restoration plan. Crews remain committed to restoring power to every member following this catastrophic event.
“We thank each electric cooperative member in western North Carolina for their patience during this unprecedented time,” said Nelle Hotchkiss, senior vice president and chief operating officer for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Their support means so much to the crews in the field, who are facing unique challenges with each restoration effort.”
Safety:
While crews are working to restore power, you can help by staying vigilant around work areas. Please avoid traveling on the roads unless absolutely necessary. Keeping roads clear will help first responders do their jobs and give restoration crews better access to impacted areas. Additionally, many road shoulders are saturated or inaccessible, meaning crews will need to set up trucks and equipment on the roads in some locations. Help keep lineworkers safe.
- 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.