Crews continue to work in hardest-hit areas where 109,000 are still without power

Raleigh, N.C. – Cooperatives crews have restored power to 43,000 members who lost power during severe weather brought on by Hurricane Irene. At yesterday’s peak, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives were reporting more than 152,000 outages. After progress made overnight and early this morning, that outage number is down to 109,000.

Significant progress in power restoration is expected today for members still experiencing outages. Aided by sunny skies and relief from bands of gusting winds and heavy rain, co-op crews can begin efficiently and safely restoring power in most areas.

It is important to note that heavily damaged or flooded areas may still be inaccessible to cooperative crews, and in those areas it will likely take more time to restore power. Areas served by the co-ops that are still severely affected by power outages include the counties of Beaufort, Bertie, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Edgecombe, Halifax, Hyde, Onslow, Pamlico, Perquimans, Warren and Wayne.

Local cooperative linemen are working diligently to restore power as quickly as possible, but if you are still waiting for your lights to come back on, the cooperatives would like to remind you of the following:

• Unplug sensitive electronic appliances such as TVs, microwave ovens and computers – this will protect your appliances against power fluctuations that can occur when power is restored.
• Avoid opening the freezer door. A full, freestanding freezer will keep food at freezing temperatures about 2 days;a half-full freezer about 1 day.
• After power is restored, be sure to wait five to 10 minutes before turning on appliances and heating systems.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve approximately 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties.