RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 4, 2020) – More than 125,000 members of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are currently without power after Hurricane Isaias’ overnight trek northward through eastern and coastal North Carolina communities.
Power outage locations are consistent with the path of the storm with the most concentrated outages nearest to Hurricane Isaias’ landfall. Counties with the highest number of electric cooperative outages include:
• Brunswick County – 38,200
• Onslow County – 30,470
• Pender County – 13,000
Crews from Newport-based Carteret-Craven Electric Co-op prep equipment in advance of Hurricane Isaias.
Cooperative line crews and restoration support personnel are out in force, working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to cooperative members. These efforts include pandemic-related safety measures, like working in smaller groups with increased physical distancing, limited sharing of equipment and stringent cleaning and disinfection practices. These additional safety measures may increase outage response times and cooperative members are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of extended outages.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives urge caution near work areas to keep line restoration crews safe and allow them to focus on bringing power back to the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time.
Please remember to never touch a downed power line; fallen lines can remain energized and pose serious dangers. The same is true for anything in contact with a power line, which is especially important to know as debris cleanup begins. Do not try to cut or clear limbs from power lines.
Real-time outage information from electric cooperatives across the state is available on a Statewide Outage Map.
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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