Raleigh, N.C. —North Carolina’s electric cooperatives continue to make progress with restoration efforts in areas hit hard by yesterday’s severe weather. The total number of outages across the state’s 26 electric cooperatives is down to approximately 19,000 from nearly 90,000 at the storm’s peak. Most outages occurred as a result of high winds blowing down trees and power lines. Wet soil from heavy rains made trees more susceptible to falling.
Cooperative line crews worked through the night to restore power. Cooperatives in the most affected areas, particularly central North Carolina, are relying on assistance from cooperative line crews from less affected areas of the state. The deployment of crews is part of a mutual aid agreement shared between the nation’s nearly 1,000 electric cooperatives to help one another in times of emergency, such as severe weather events. These crews are working hard to make sure all of North Carolina’s electric cooperative members have power restored quickly.
If you see a downed power line or pole, DO NOT TOUCH IT. Call your local electric cooperative or 911 immediately. You can find contact information for your electric cooperative at www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/storm/outages.htm. You are also encouraged to call your electric cooperative if you are still without power.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide energy to 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties, primarily in rural parts of the state. The electric cooperatives own and maintain 95,000 miles of power lines.