RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 9, 2018) – Line crews and staff from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are on high alert and working as quickly as possible to restore power outages in areas impacted by winter weather.

As of 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, electric cooperatives are reporting 24,000 outages in North Carolina, primarily in the mountains and foothills.

Storm conditions, including continued precipitation, winds and ice accumulation, could cause additional outages across the state. Heavy snow and ice can weigh down tree limbs and branches and bring them into contact with power lines, which is a primary cause of power outages in winter weather. Co-op crews are staged to respond to additional outages as quickly as possible to keep families warm throughout the winter storm.

Up-to-date statewide co-op outage numbers can be accessed anytime via our Live Outage Map.

Electric cooperative members are asked to report power outages or any dangerous situations caused by the storm to their local electric cooperative.

Safety:
Keep in mind the following safety tips during and after a winter storm:

• Never go near a downed or sagging power line. Do not attempt to remove debris from power lines, as the lines could still be energized and very dangerous. Always assume power lines are energized. Report fallen or damaged lines to your co-op or utility provider immediately.
• Winter weather can lead to dangerous conditions on roadways. Stay off the roads if possible, and if you must drive, use extreme caution.
• If you see electric utility crews working on the side of the road, slow down and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the workers.
• Only use generators and charcoal grills in well-ventilated outdoor areas; a garage does not count as a well-ventilated area. Never connect a generator directly to a home’s wiring. Instead, use an extension cord to plug lights and appliances into the generator.
• If using Sterno or charcoal to cook food, always to do so outside in a well-ventilated area. Cooking indoors with Sterno or charcoal will produce deadly carbon-monoxide fumes.

Stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter or connect with your local electric cooperative for the latest updates and safety tips.

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

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