Raleigh, N.C. – Hurricane Earl, which is expected churn close to the North Carolina Outer Banks during the overnight/early morning hours between Thursday and Friday, is approaching as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 145 mph. North Carolina’s electric cooperative line crews, as well as crews from Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee stand ready to respond quickly to power outages that occur as a result of Hurricane Earl.
With sustained winds at this speed, widespread power outages are highly likely and may be of an extended duration. The safety of line crews is a priority, and as soon as storm conditions allow, electric cooperative crews will work around the clock to restore power. You are encouraged to call your local electric cooperative to inform them of any outages. You can find contact information for your electric cooperative at www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/storm.
Remember that power lines are dangerous; STAY AWAY from any fallen or sagging lines and contact your local cooperative or call 911 to inform them of this hazard.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties, primarily in rural parts of the state.