Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are working to restore power outages caused by today’s high winds. Currently, the cooperatives are reporting almost 50,000 outages, primarily in the counties west of I-85.
Cooperative line crews and contract crews are working to restore the outages caused by the high winds. In storms such as this one, with sustained winds and gusts approaching hurricane-force, power outages are most often caused by fallen trees and branches, making outages widespread and somewhat erratic. You may have power even if someone down the street is experiencing an outage. Additionally, because the winds are expected to continue into the evening, further outages may occur in areas that have already been restored once today.
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/outages.htm.
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 provide energy to 2.5 million people in 93 of 100 counties, primarily in rural parts of the state. The electric cooperatives own and maintain 95,000 miles of power lines, by far the most of any electric utility in North Carolina.